Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Aleksei Kolosov got off to a great start in his NHL Debut, as he became the first Belarusian Goaltender to play in an NHL game. He made nine saves out of 10 shots faced through the first period, and it’s clear the Flyers organization wants him to start, start, start these days.
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.
“I’m looking at Kolosov,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said at morning skate. “I’m telling you that right now. Ivan, that’s just the way it is. I even had some games, we weren’t happy with his games. We are going to look at Kolosov.”
Tortorella continues, “Feds had his chance. If I take out Erss, then Kolosov will come in.” He also said that he has not talked to Ivan about working on this and that. Tortorella just wants him to stop the puck.
The one thing that stands out about Kolosov is his athleticism. He quickly moves post to post well, but he needs to track the puck a bit better. His athleticism let’s him get away with that particular downfall to his game for the most part. Unfortunately, he still allowed a slow moving pass and shot from the top of the red left-hand circle for a goal this past Sunday. Kolosov tried to react, but he didn’t have enough time to do such. Again it was a bit of a flukey play that lead to a Montreal Canadiens goal, as Cole Caufield broke his stick on the pass.
The organization is trying to see what they have in Kolosov before he makes a decision to stay in North America or go back to the KHL for the season. It’s to my understanding that Kolosov was happy in Lehigh, so maybe he wants to stay now.
The 22-year-old goaltender in Kolosov was tested with one breakaway, a 2-on-0, and a few 2-on-1’s, to which Kolosov made the saves of the puck went wide after great positioning in his debut. He appeared to confident and in control. Kolosov didn’t look scattered brained and shaky, rather he stood tall and moved laterally from post to post well.
“I thought our goalie played good. He made some really good saves,” said Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella following the Montreal Canadiens game this past Sunday.
“I thought Koly (Alexei Kolosov) was great for us tonight,” Scott Laughton said post-game.
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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