Three Shutouts in a Row - Roberto Sets a New Club Record!
Nov 30th, 2007
Our man, the world class Goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks Roberto Luongo, has done it again. Last night in General Motors Place Roberto shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets, with a final score of two to zip. This is the third shut out in a row for both the ‘Nucks and for Roberto. Luongo’s shutout streak now officially sits at 193:56. That surpasses the old club record set by Ken (Spider) Lockett in the 1974-75 season. Lockett posted back-to-back goose-eggs on the way to a shutout streak of 184:20.
Roberto was, as is typical of himself, modest and quick to share the glory.
“I think the whole group should feel good about themselves,” said Luongo. “It helps to know that the guys are doing a good job taking away back-doors and slot plays and rebounds and stuff like that. It just gives me the opportunity to challenge a bit more.”
The team and coaching staff was having none of it, however.
“Anytime you get an athlete like that that’s on top of his game, it’s just a whole different scenario,” said head coach Alain Vigneault. “Roberto right now is really focused and really sharp and has done a great job for us.”
Defenceman Mattias Ohlund:
“He plays just like this most games he plays and obviously the last three games he’s been unbelievable,” said Ohlund. “He gives us a chance to win each and every night. Especially us defenceman, I think you appreciate that a lot.”
Even the opposition paid their respects. Rick Nash of Columbus, when asked about the puck he shot and Roberto stopped:
“We didn’t bury our chances when we had good ones,” said Nash. “When you play against that kind of goalie you really have to work him and we weren’t good enough tonight.”
The NHL record is held by Brian Boucher, who posted five consecutive shutouts during the 2003-04 season on his way to a scoreless stretch of 332:01. Boucher made 146 consecutive saves during that run. Dare we hope?