Barry’s hearts not in it body language in fairytales interview says it all. Turned up out of shape and clearly Underestimated the quality of this league maybe he thought it would be the equivalent of Sunday league football back home who knows, but it’s a real shame he’s been a quality tender throughout his career. I’d of preferred that Brust than the one thats turned out for the additional uni course.
I'd certainly give Brust more time. From his interview it sounds like he's been suffering a niggle and had an equipment issue, if he can sort those maybe we'll get the netminder we hoped for.
My mate always brings out a few spreadsheets with stats when we meet for a beer on Saturday night prior to the game.
A really interesting stat was the number of shots faced by each netminder.
Brust has played the majority of games at home, Rok most on the road, so that needs to be considered.
Rok home - 27 shots per game
Rok away - 42 shots per game
Brust home - 24 shots per game
Brust away - 24 shots per game
Unless my mate has got his numbers wrong, which I doubt, that's a ridiculously high number of shots Rok has been facing away from home.
Is Rok facing more shots than he should be due to rebound control or ability to organise the defence?
Could be right doom I think Barry’s strength is the ability to organise the D and read the game, however he could face 5 shots and if he doesn’t save them it means nothing. Rok to me is not a League winning Nettie and does have issues technically his rebound control and 5 hole to name just 2 although I’d rather him than Barry all week and twice on Sunday.
Well he stood up to the test quite well. It was great team performance but he faced as many shots as Belfast's 2 net minders and only conceded the one.
I loved that hit he made. Why he's not entitled to make it I don't know, maybe the refs weren't so sure either but called it under some vague understanding that net minders aren't allowed to make the first contact. (Dowd said in the post-game podcast that he asked the ref and that was his answer.)
I liked Brust's interview post-game. He's been honest about his performances so far, isn't too arrogant and clearly puts a lot of thought into his game. Thinks he's through the worst and is starting to prove his worth. Long may it continue.