Team Canada Olympic Hockey Team - 2010 Olympics - Vancouver - Goalie Selection

As previously mentioned, Steve Yzerman has until December 31st, 2009 to make his final decision for Team Canada's final 23-man roster for the 2010 Olympic games. As part of this selection process, he will have to narrow down the 5 goalies who where invited to Team Canada's Olympic training camp to 3. Let's take a look at the goalies invited to camp based upon their performance during the first quarter of this NHL season...

List of goalies invited to Team Canada's Olympic camp:

Martin Brodeur
Cam Ward
Roberto Luongo
Marc-Andre Fleury
Steve Mason

Before we take a look at their current performance this season based upon their current stats, let's put things into perspective. Two of the key statistics used to evaluate goaltenders include the goalie's save percentage (SV%) as well as their goals-against average (GAA). It's important to keep in mind that both of these metrics are affected by the quality of team that plays in front of the goaltender with particular importance on their defensemen. Additionally, there are two aspects of coaching systems that also impact these numbers. First, there's no question that a goalie playing for a heavily penalized team should have a lower save percentage since a goaltender's save percentage typically drops when they're playing short-handed. Secondly, though more controversial, it's been argued that different coaching systems have an impact on shot locations which can also affect a goaltender's save percentage.

Table of prospective Team Canada Goalies ranked by save percentage:

Goalie	Team	GP	SA	GA	GAA	SV%	Win	Loss	OT L
Martin Brodeur	NJD	16	442	35	2.16	0.921	12	4	0
Roberto Luongo	VAN	15	394	37	2.69	0.906	7	7	0
Marc-Andre Fleury	PIT	16	407	39	2.52	0.904	10	6	0
Cam Ward	CAR	15	406	41	2.97	0.899	2	9	3
Steve Mason	CBJ	14	412	50	3.67	0.879	7	5	2

From the above table, it seems likely that both Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo will both be reprising their roles as the goaltending tandem for Team Canada. Of note, Cam Ward recently suffered an injury. Specifically, his upper leg was cut by Rick Nash and he's expected to be out for a few more weeks at least. As mentioned previously, penalties can impact a goalie's SV%, so let's take a look at these goaltenders' even-strength and short-handed SV%:

Table 2 - Team Canada goaltenders ranked by even-strength (EV SH%)

Goalie	Team	GP	EV SV%	SH SV%
Martin Brodeur	NJD	16	0.93	0.933
Roberto Luongo	VAN	15	0.926	0.875
Marc-Andre Fleury	PIT	16	0.91	0.904
Cam Ward	CAR	15	0.899	0.899
Steve Mason	CBJ	14	0.883	0.879

Without trying to over-analyze this situation, it's clear that based on their respective performances this season along with their pedigree/track records, that the three front-runners are Brodeur, Luongo, and Fleury. As a goal-tender, I like Cam Ward, but he's currently injured and hasn't started off this season with a stellar performance. Steve Mason, by the numbers just looks like he'll fall short of making the cut this time around. Well, there's just over a month of time left before the final decision has to be made.

For more information on Team Canada's camp invitees:

Comments (3) Add Comment

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written by Horpensky, November 16, 2009

I didn't really expect Mason to make it, but he was invited to camp because they see him as the heir for the future. He's suffering a sophmore jinx pretty badly right now, so there isn't any way.

Cam Ward also hasn't had a good start, even though considering their entire team was horrendous. But coupled with the injury, I don't see him ready for the time.

So that just leaves 3 more. Luongo, argued to be the best goalie today, Brodeur, proven winner in big games and playing very well now, and Fleury, a young goaltender that just won the cup and isn't suffering a huge hangover despite the Penguins having a lot of key injuries. All these are good choices, and this would be the management's easiest position to fill.

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written by JohnfromPittsburgh, November 16, 2009

I dont see how you could go wrong with Brodeur, I am a fleury supporter but Brodeur has proven his whole career that he is just a solid solid goaltender. Best of luck to whomever is the starter. I think all of them would do well personally.