The last thing the Utah Grizzlies expected after the biggest goaltending catastrophe of the season was to win by a shutout. But Wednesday night they defeated Milwaukee, 3-0, for the first time in three tries this season, thanks to a strong team effort behind goalie Lee Schill, who didn't know until just before the game that he would start.
"It was probably better that way," Schill said about the short notice, noting he didn't have time to get nervous.Schill had flown in from Reno, Nev., where he was playing for that city's franchise in the West Coast Hockey League. He was Utah's only hope after a week in which star goalie Wade Flaherty was called up to the New York Islanders and his backup, Mark McArthur, underwent knee surgery. Schill's only backup on the bench Wednesday night was Grizzlies executive vice president Tim Mouser, who hadn't played professionally since the 1983-84 season.
But the 26-year-old Schill, whose 2.72 goals against average was second best in the WCHL, showed he was ready for the challenge. Near the end of the first period, he earned the first of many standing ovations by stopping Milwaukee's Dave Mackey on a break-away.
"I never had a team play so well in front of me," Schill said, noting that the level of play is much stronger in the International Hockey League than anything he has encountered. "There are no mistakes, and the guys are a lot quicker."
After two scoreless periods by both teams, Schill finally got some help when Jeff Sharples scored a goal on a wrist shot from the point, after the puck dribbled toward him from in front of the goal. Chris Taylor added another goal two minutes later with a long shot. John LeBlanc finished the scoring for Utah halfway through the third period when he caught a rebound in front of the goal and poked it between the goalie's legs.
"He earned his shutout," Utah coach Butch Goring said of his new goalie, who signed a 25-game contract. "Most importantly, I liked his coolness with the game."
The game was interrupted by several fights, with new Grizzlies Greg Spenrath and Rhett Trombley showing they can provide the kind of toughness Goring has been wanting.
"We needed some toughness, and toughness that can play," he said.
Goring is still looking for another goalie before Utah plays Milwaukee again Friday night at the E Center. At the moment, he said, he has no idea who that will be. McArthur tore cartilage in his right knee and is expected to be out for six weeks. Flaherty was called up to replace Islanders goalie Eric Fichaud, who is expected to miss three weeks with a shoulder injury.