Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender Matt Zaba has been named the Reebok X-Pulse/AHL Goaltender of the Month for February. In eleven February appearances Zaba posted a 8-2-0 record with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native has won his last six consecutive starts and has been the driving force behind the Wolf Pack’s current six game winning streak. The Colorado College graduate’s work last month allowed him to wrestle the starting role from Miika Wiikman, who entered the season as the presumed number one goalie, but has struggled with illness and consistency issues all year.
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Well, for starters, he can stop a breakaway… Wiikman, not so much. ;)
I can’t say I watch goalies all that closely, but in general I’d say Zaba’s a more technical goalie, who relies more on positioning, while Wiikman is more athletic and instinctual. Zaba’s more likely to make a save look easy, while Wiikman will make you say “wow”. Zaba’s been better at controlling rebounds this season as well, but I really think Wiikman’s just having an off year… I’m hoping he bounces back next year, because he’s better than he’s shown this year. But the breakaway problem is a real weakness.
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Other than the impressive stats is there anything about Zaba’s game in particular that stands out over Wiikman’s?