THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — After having the best seat in the house for the New York Rangers’ first 16 games of the regular season, backup goalie Steve Valiquette finally made it out onto the ice.
And the six-foot-six, 210-pound native of Bolton, Ont., made it a memorable night, beating the host Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in a shootout. On Hockey Night in Canada, no less.
"I’ve watched CBC every Saturday night since I was a kid," said Valiquette, a 30-year-old journeyman who was making just his 13th NHL appearance in a decade-long pro career that has spanned North America and included a stop in Russia last year.
"I had about 20 people at the game tonight. My parents were here and I’m glad I got them good seats … They were on TV all night."
Valiquette had dressed for every Rangers game this season, but only watched as No. 1 Henrik Lundqvist got all the work. Lundqvist, who has been a Vezina Trophy finalist in each of the past two NHL seasons, is 8-7-1 with a 1.62 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.
"I’ve been a backup before," said Valiquette, who was drafted 190th overall in 1996 by Los Angeles, but never played for the Kings. He got into six games with the New York Islanders in 1999-2000 and one with Edmonton in 2003-04.
"I try to make the saves with the goalie during games … When Henrik makes the save on the ice, I’m making it with him on the bench."
And when finally given the chance to do it on the ice, Valiquette delivered. He entered the game against Toronto with a career NHL record of 4-3-0 with a 2.71 GAA — and a total of 442 NHL minutes played — and then stopped 32 of Toronto’s 34 shots in regulation time and overtime, and also denied Nikolai Antropov and Mats Sundin in the shootout.
"I’ve played in shootouts before, in the ECHL and the AHL," said Valiquette, who only faced two Leafs shooters as the Rangers scored on their first two attempts. "Tonight, I just focused on the puck and let my instincts take over."
Valiquette credited Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire for keeping him in game shape.
"Benoit has helped me stay sharp," Valiquette said.
"After I played in Russia (for Yaroslavl) last year, I said the only NHL team I’d come back to play for was the Rangers, because of Benoit. And I got lucky and the Rangers offered me a two-year contract.
"I believe in him. He helps me prepare."
The Rangers are starting to believe in their little-used backup, too.
"He might get a couple more starts now," said captain Jaromir Jagr with a laugh. "It’s not easy not playing for almost two months. He did great and I’m happy for him."
"He was the backbone," said coach Tom Renney, adding that he was confident in Valiquette before the shootout.
"I had no concerns. I started him in the first place.
Really, he had nothing to lose. And he’d already had a strong game, he works hard in practice a Why would I take that away from him?"
