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Bernier enjoying his new role |
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Rick Sadowski
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When the Avalanche signed Jonathan Bernier as a free agent on July 1, they viewed him as a solid backup for Semyon Varlamov, an experienced goalie who could step in on an emergency basis.
Call this an emergency.
Varlamov isn't expected to return to the ice until around the NHL All-Star break in two weeks -- at the earliest -- after sustaining yet another "lower-body injury" in a Jan. 2 game against Winnipeg.
He missed the final 40 games last season after undergoing surgery on each hip in an attempt to alleviate the groin problems that have been problematic throughout his career, so it's really anybody's guess when he'll be back.
Bernier is now the Avalanche's No. 1 goalie, and he's looked the part while winning five consecutive games to match his career high, allowing six goals in the streak. Andrew Hammond, acquired from Ottawa as part of the Matt Duchene trade, is the backup following another recall from Belleville of the AHL.
"He’s going to come back," Bernier said of Varlamov following practice Sunday. "Hopefully I can carry the load until he comes back."
Bernier, who made 27 saves Saturday in a 4-1 win in Dallas, will start again Monday afternoon against Anaheim at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche are seeking their seventh win in a row, which they last accomplished Dec. 31, 2005 to Jan. 14, 2006.
“I feel good, obviously,” said Bernier, who has posted a 10-7-1 record for the season with two shutouts, a 2.77 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. “Once you win five in a row, you always feel good. But I think it’s the overall team success. We’re playing very good defensively, on the PK, and we've scored some big, timely goals.”
“ ‘Berns’ has waited and been patient for this opportunity,” coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s making the most of it. He’s been a starter before, he’s been a backup, he understands the situation. This is his time to shine and continue to try and carry our team here, so we’re going to give him every opportunity to do that.”
Bernier, who signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract, is relishing the opportunity to play on a consistent basis, though he'd prefer it was under different circumstances.
"You never wish for anyone to get injured,” he said. “At the same time, that’s just sports. If I look back at last year (with Anaheim), Gibby (John Gibson) got hurt and I got the chance to play more games. You just never know. I didn’t come here because I thought Varly was going to get hurt. That’s not true. In this league now, you need two good goalies to go deep. That’s why Joe (Sakic) signed me here.”
Bernier, 29, was Los Angeles' first-round pick (No.11) in 2006, but he never played more than 25 games in a year in parts of five seasons with the Kings, who in 2005 plucked Jonathan Quick in the third round.
Bernier eventually wound up in Toronto and played 55, 58 and 38 games in his three seasons there. Last year, after being sent to Anaheim, he played in 39 games and went 21-7-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.
"To be a No. 1 goalie, you have to be consistent, that's the main part," he said. "You have to be able to play 60 games. I'm enjoying my time right now and having fun with it. I feel good. To be honest, I think I feel better than when I was 20. I take care of my body better and I know what to do to be prepared the next day and things like that. You mature, you get older. It seems like it gets a little bit easier.”
The lineup:
FORWARDS
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg -- Blake Comeau
A.J. Greer -- Alexander Kerfoot -- Nail Yakupov
Colin Wilson -- Tyson Jost -- Gabriel Bourque
DEFENSE
Nikita Zadorov -- Erik Johnson
Patrik Nemeth -- Mark Barberio
Samuel Girard -- Anton Lindholm
GOALIES
Jonathan Bernier
Andrew Hammond
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