Winning is fun, just ask Matthew Galajda.
The first-year Victoria Grizzlies鈥� netminder is on an impressive run and beginning to open some eyes when it comes to early discussions regarding potential sa国际传媒 Hockey League rookie of the year considerations.
After starting the season with seven straight losses, the Aurora, Ont., native is now 15-7 in his last 22 games and 15-14 overall. Stretch those statistics even further and you鈥檒l find the 18-year-old is 13-4-0-2 over the last 19 appearances, with two shutouts.
His three total shutouts have him tied for second in the entire BCHL; his goals-against average of 2.28 is third behind only Penticton鈥檚 Anthony Brodeur and Zachary Driscoll; his save percentage of .919 sits sixth; and his 1,789 minutes played is also sixth.
Galajda is likely to get a break tonight as the Grizzlies face the host Spruce Kings in Prince George before moving on to Chilliwack on Saturday and Surrey on Sunday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot more fun for sure, now, than at the beginning of the season,鈥� admitted Galajda, who is a big reason for the team鈥檚 resurgence after a sluggish first two months. 鈥淚 think the team has improved for sure, at least defensively.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been playing a lot harder in our zone and that鈥檚 definitely a reflection of my personal stats. I think I鈥檝e just moved into [the top handful of goaltenders] the last couple of months. It鈥檚 good to see myself up there, but it鈥檚 definitely a reflection of the team鈥檚 play.鈥�
Galajda admits he is one of those goaltenders who keep close tabs on statistics and he has to like what he sees.
鈥淚 kind of like looking at them. I like seeing who is ahead of me and try to jump them, using it as motivation.鈥�
But he also shores the limelight, much like as he turns aside pucks.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy. The team is playing well and it鈥檚 easier for me to stop pucks,鈥� he said, focusing on team. 鈥淚'm seeing a lot of the pucks and that makes it easier. I love playing and I don鈥檛 like taking nights off.鈥�
The 17-20-4-0 Grizzlies head into tonight鈥檚 game looking for a fourth straight win to start 2016. It would match the longest win streak of the season and set up a much tougher matchup on Saturday in Chilliwack (27-8-1-4).
The 10-29-2-1 Spruce Kings were home to the Trail Smoke Eaters on Thursday night and have struggled throughout the year.
Victoria is finally on the positive side of the ledger in the goals for and against differential at plus-3. Prince George is minus-90, second worst to the minus-99 Surrey has posted (prior to Thursday鈥檚 play).
Galajda and team defence has improved tremendously. In the last three wins, the Grizzlies have scored a whopping 17 goals and allowed just four.
鈥淗e has to be one of the most underrated players in the league,鈥� Grizzlies鈥� captain P.J. Conlon said of Galajda. 鈥淗e gives us a chance to win every single night and we feel comfortable playing in front of him.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something about his style, where he can slow down the game. He鈥檚 very calm, which you see in a lot of the top goalies in the NHL these days. We鈥檙e definitely a calmer team playing in front of him.鈥�
As for any rookie-of-the-year talk, Galajda deflects that as well. Easton Brodzinski of Penticton and Austin McIlmurray of Coquitlam, who both have 48 points, and Chilliwack鈥檚 Vimal Sukumaran (46 points) have garnered a lot of that attention.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 even thought of that yet. It would definitely be a huge honour, but we just have to keep working hard, get more wins, make the playoffs and maybe move up to third or second spot in the division,鈥� said Galajda, who is impressed with how his team has bounced back after 19 days off during the Christmas break.
鈥淎 lot of people thought we would have a slow start. We鈥檝e proved them wrong and we鈥檙e looking to get another huge weekend here with a big win on Friday,鈥� he said.
