SAN JOSE — Goalie Yaroslav Askarov has been all the things the San Jose Sharks have wished him to be in his first two begins for his or her prime minor league affiliate.
He’s even, upon request, dialed again the post-victory celebrations, no less than to a point.
Askarov was good once more Saturday, making 26 saves as he earned his second straight shutout to begin the season, main the San Jose Barracuda to a 5-0 win over the Iowa Wild earlier than an introduced crowd of three,942 at Tech CU Area.
Askarov made 10 saves within the first interval and helped the Barracuda kill off 4 minor penalties, incomes his eleventh shutout in 94 profession AHL video games. He additionally made 22 saves for San Jose in a 5-0 win over Ontario final week.
Two Barracuda gamers scored their first objectives as professionals, with 24-year-old ahead Donavan Houle scoring his first two objectives as an expert and 19-year-old defenseman Luca Cagnoni getting his first.
“The team played unreal,” Askarov instructed reporters. “That helps me a lot, and I try to do the same (for them). It’s a good team win.”
After he shut out Ontario, Askarov, identified for some flamboyant celebrations after shutouts and victories, lowered the crossbar onto the ice. After a 45-save shootout victory for the Milwaukee Admirals on Feb. 11, 2023, Askarov laid down along with his again on the ice, pulled the web down, and started bench-pressing the crossbar.
YAROSLAV ASKAROV
that is it. no different phrases.#AHL #BarracudaHockey #TheFutureIsTeal #IAvsSJ pic.twitter.com/WjsPrC6nBV
Saturday, his celebration was a bit toned down. He pumped his fist proper after the ultimate horn as his teammates congratulated him. Named the sport’s second star, he performed to the group a bit by eradicating his masks and cupping his ear along with his glove.
“Someone told me, try to be more quiet,” Askarov mentioned of his celebrations. “Not quiet, but take it easy.”
No matter how the 2023-24 AHL All-Star Basic participant celebrates wins now, Askarov has come as marketed after the Sharks acquired him from the Nashville Predators in August.
Now it’s a matter of when he’ll be recalled by the Sharks and play one other NHL recreation.
On their 23-man roster, the Sharks have 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two wholesome goalies in Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek. After he acquired Askarov from the Predators in August, Sharks normal supervisor mentioned he wouldn’t rule out beginning the season with three goalies on the roster.
It’s unclear whether or not that mindset has modified now, however Grier clearly believes in competitors. For now, the Sharks will likely be affected person and let the method occur.
“We’re just getting used to having (Askarov) here, and he’s getting used to being here. And so I think it was all set up not to be in a hurry or anything, but just to let it evolve organically.”
It’s then doable that Askarov must anticipate an damage or a commerce to be added to the Sharks roster. Askarov has performed three NHL video games, going 1-1-0 with a .914 save proportion for the Predators.
The Sharks will most likely know when Askarov, or any goalie, is prepared for the NHL after they present that they’ll “take a good workload of games and perform well within those games,” Will mentioned, “and they kind of show you by their play.”
“Does he control the game for us, and that’s going to mean different things on different nights,” Barracuda coach John McCarthy mentioned final week. “Does he deal with everything thrown at him in a mature way, and does that show up on the ice?”
There’s no subject thus far. After taking part in Iowa once more on Sunday, when Georgi Romanov is anticipated to begin in internet, Askarov will doubtless get no less than one begin once more subsequent week when the Barracuda journey to face the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday and Friday.
For nonetheless lengthy he’s within the AHL, Askarov figures to provide the Barracuda an opportunity to win nearly each time he’s within the internet. That’s large for a staff that has had substandard staff save percentages of .864, .891, and .890 the previous three seasons and has designs on making the playoffs this season.
“Guys are excited to play in front of him,” McCarthy mentioned. “(All) you need to know about a goalie is how the guys play in front of him, and there seems to be a lot of trust in him.”
Initially Printed: October 20, 2024 at 10:44 a.m.
