Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Aleksei Kolosov has really played well in the past five games he has started in. He became the first Belarusian Goaltender to play in an NHL game earlier in the season. Kolosov just moves post to post so quickly, it really reminds me of a young Sergei Bobrovsky.
Kolosov played well in his NHL Debut, so he offers a bit of hope at that position. Actually, a tandem of Samuel Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov isn’t a bad one. Even so much so, Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said that Kolosov has surpassed Ivan Fedotov on the depth chart, and he will be backing up Samuel Ersson for now. One roster spot is open due to Cam York being placed on IR (Injured Reserve), so there is no need for the Flyers to panic and figure out what to do with Ivan Fedotov at this point. For now at least, the team will carry three goalies, until York is ready to come back.
Here is the Goaltending situation, as described by Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella:
1) Erss
2) Kolosov
3) Feds
“Mechanics have to fall to Danny,” Tortorella said of when the time comes to make a decision on the goaltending situation. Torts did say they are rolling with three goalies right now, to ensure Samuel Ersson is fully healthy.
Tortorella said earlier in the season, before Samuel Ersson’s first lower body injury “Feds had his chance. If I take out Erss, then Kolosov will come in.”
The one thing that stands out about Kolosov is his athleticism. He quickly moves post to post well, and he has tracked the puck a bit better, “It doesn’t mean anything. Happy to be here. Happy to play for them,” Kolosov said following the game last night against the Detroit Red Wings. His athleticism let’s him get away with that particular downfall to his game for the most part, at least for now, even though he looks more and more comfortable playing in the NHL as each game passes.
The organization is trying to see what they have in Kolosov, and in doing so, Kolosov has a 4-0-1 record in the past five games as a starter, coupled with a .918 Save Percentage. To ease Flyers fans nervousness surrounding Kolosov. It’s to my understanding that Kolosov was happy in Lehigh, so maybe he wants to stay now in North America, especially with him developing a bond with Matvei Michkov..
The 22-year-old goaltender in Kolosov has been tested with breakaways, 2-on-0’s, and a few 2-on-1’s, to which Kolosov made the saves of the puck went wide after great positioning. He appears to be more and more confident and in control. Kolosov didn’t look scattered brained and shaky, rather he stands tall and moves laterally from post to post well.
“He battles hard, fights for a lot of pucks. Really athletic. He kept us in the game with the lead. Played great,” Sean Couturier said of Kolosov following the game against the Red Wings.
“He played really well tonight,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said postgame.
Best of luck to Kolosov, as he now gets a chance of a lifetime to impress on the big stage. As post-game analyst Scott Hartnell alludes to above. Kolosov is a competitor, so the sky is the limit from here.
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