Nov 6, 2009

NHL's Sabre's Call Up Enroth For Backup Goalie Role

Buffalo's Backup Goalie Patrick Lalime Sidelined With Groin Injury

The NHL's Buffalo Sabre's announced Wednesday that they were calling up goaltender Jhonas Enroth from the minors to fill in for current backup goalie Patrick Lalime after he had injured his groin. Buffalo coach told the media that the move was necessary to give Lalime a chance to rest enough to recover from the injury that he suffered in practice earlier in the week. Lalime's condition is not expected to be serious, and although it will be reviewed on a day to day basis, groin injuries can sometimes lag on from the strain put on the area due to the nature of the goaltending position.

Although the injury to Lalime isn't expected to be serious, and although he is only the backup goalie, the Sabres cannot afford to be in a position where they have little depth at the goalie position. Currently, the Sabres are off to a great start this season with a 9-2-1 record and sole possession of first place in the Northeast division standings. Unfortunately, that can change in a heartbeat if they were to lose the services of their starting goalie. Enroth was a second round pick in the 2006 draft, but he has yet to develop into the player that the Sabres expected he could be. Last season, he was called up in February but did not appear in a single NHL game, and so far this season he has had a very dismal start in the AHL in Portland, Maine, where he has a 3-7 record with a 3.9 goals against-average in 10 games. The sportbooks' betting line odds of him being able to carry the team in the event that his services are required are slim and none; and if that were to occur, the Sabre's would be a sure bet to slip significantly in the standings until they could get Lalime healthy enough to return to his backup position.

By Bryan Jackson
Staff Writer
Betsportsweb.com
Home of the true Dime Line