NLL Insider

Behind the NLLInsider.com scenes this summer, there were a ton of emails going back-and-forth with readers and a few NLL GM’s, and myself, in regards to what actually makes a good keeper?

It actually got pretty in-depth, heated and at times, ridiculous, but it definitely got me thinking (which some might say is a rarity).

With teams at all levels playing different systems and styles, some breading low scores (see the Toronto Rock during their prime) and some high (see teams like the Minnesota Swarm and Philadelphia Wings today), it’s pretty tough to measure a tender’s skill based solely on stats or even W’s cuz of the kinda ball their crew plays.

A lotta times, the only way you’re gonna evaluate a tender properly is watching them from start-to-finish and actually seeing how he moves in his own house. Any legit GM will tell you the same thing.

There’s a question, in really any sport that uses a keeper, to measure their worth, “Can he win a game on his own?” There’s no way stats alone are gonna answer that question.

So with that said, although Bob Watson took home the hardware last winter for what truly was a solid season with Toronto, NLL Insider will be taking a “different” look at keeper stats leading up to the ‘09 season, today takin’ a peak at how guys do when the heats on.

In the pro game, most consider a 40 save performance by a goalie one that really should be good enough to allow your team to win. It’s kinda like when a pitcher gives his boys a one run, five hit outing. You better not be losing that game. Ditto for the NLL when your tender posts a slick 40 plus save performance.

In 2008, there were 63 individual 40 plus save performances by the league’s keepers, with Philly’s Rob Blasdell leading the way with a 5-0 record when he made 40 or more stops.

So what keeper gives his team the best chance to win by stopping a ton of rubber? And in the same breath, what team lets their backstop down when he throws up such a stellar performance, but still can’t get ‘er done? Do the guys below that did well in this breakdown exude confidence to the rest of their team in order to seal the deal, while maybe the others don’t?

For those answers and more, take a look at the digits below and judge for yourself…

Rob Blasdell

2008 team: Philadelphia Wings
40+ save games: 5
Record when saving 40+ shots: 5-0

Mike Thompson

2008 team: Buffalo Bandits
40+ save games: 3
Record when saving 40+ shots: 3-0

Dan Sams

2008 team: Buffalo Bandits
40+ save games: 1
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-0

Aaron Bold

2008 team: San Jose Stealth
40+ save games: 1
Record when  saving 40+ shots: 1-0

Matt Roik

2008 team: Chicago Shamrox
40+ save games: 6
Record when saving 40+ shots: 5-1

Matt Vinc

2008 team: New York Titans
40+ save games: 4
Record when saving 40+ shots: 3-1

Nick Patterson

2008 team: Minnesota Swarm
40+ save games: 6
Record when saving 40+ shots: 4-2

Anthony Cosmo

2008 team: San Jose Stealth
40+ save games: 10
Record when saving 40+ shots: 6-4

Kenny Montour

2008 team: Buffalo Bandits
40+ save games: 5
Record when saving 40+ shots: 3-2

Bob Watson

2008 team: Toronto Rock
40+ save games: 6
Record when saving 40+ shots: 3-3

Pat O’Toole

2008 team: Rochester Knighthawks
40+ save games: 4
Record when saving 40+ shots: 2-2

Chris Levis

2008 team: Colorado Mammoth
40+ save games: 2
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-1

Gee Nash

2008 team: Colorado Mammoth
40+ save games: 2
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-1

Matt Disher

2008 team: Edmonton Rush & Portland Lumberjax
40+ save games: 2
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-1

Curtis Palidwor

2008 team: Edmonton Rush
40+ save games: 2
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-1

Brandon Miller

2008 team: Philadelphia Wings and Chicago Shamrox
40+ save games: 4
Record when saving 40+ shots: 1-3

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