In a world where “bigger is better” applies to lattes, monitors and goaltenders, a 5-foot-6, 155-pound goalie proved Sunday that little packages can still provide gigantic moments.
Michigan native Jeff Lerg, who tends net for the Toledo Walleye, ECHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, came up huge in overtime versus the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday night.
Down, out and flat on his back, watch as the acrobatic Lerg gets a backhanded glove on Komets forward Garret Meurs’ all-but-certain OT winner. Toledo would go on to win in a shootout.
“I knew I had to play it like he was going to shoot it right off the bat, and I committed to make that initial save, and then it was a desperation type play swinging my glove back behind me,” Lerg told the Toledo Blade. “Honestly, I didn’t feel it hit me, so I was nervous at first. But I then I heard the crowd. It felt good to make that save.”
I bet.
Lerg is enjoying his best season ever at age 29, posting a 20-5-3 record and a .929 save percentage with the Walleye, even earning a one-game call-up to the AHL San Diego Gulls in which he stopped all 11 shots faced.
