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Reto Berra Shows NHL Ability

By Nadia Archuleta

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Colorado Avalanche backup goalie Reto Berra won the game for the team.

Ok, technically, veteran forward Alex Tanguay‘s second period goal won the game. However, the goalie who has seemed like such a mistake for the team played like the NHL goalie he’s paid to be.

He played like the goalie I watched in the 2014 Olympics.

Reto Berra has not been strong for the Avalanche. He had two starts after being acquired at the trade deadline last season. The Avalanche lost in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets then pulled him 10 minutes into a game against the San Jose Sharks after he allowed two goals on five shots.

This season he’s been better — he backstopped the Avalanche to their first win of the season. However, he continued to play badly whenever given the start.

Until tonight. Tonight he played to win. And he won.

Berra was not tested much early. He faced only 16 shots in the first two periods. However, he was the better of all of them, turning each and every one aside. Though they weren’t many, some of those shots were quality scoring chances, including one by dangerous twin (his twin is just as dangerous) Daniel Sedin.

In this sequence, the Canucks are on the power play. Now, the Avalanche have a good penalty kill, but a lot of that is based on the goalie — or Semyon Varlamov, for the most part. It’s a little different when the backup goalie is in net.

Nonetheless, Berra looked confident in net from the very beginning. He kept his eye on the play the whole time. The first shot ricocheted off his goalie pads. Daniel Sedin corralled the puck, though. He shot at Berra point blank.

And Berra stopped him, point blank:

The Avalanche started the third period on the penalty kill as veteran forward Jarome Iginla was sitting in the box for hooking. Unfortunately, Berra did let in a power play goal in the first 15 seconds of the period. But that was it.

For all the shots Berra didn’t face in the first two periods, he faced them in the third. The Canucks came on like gangbusters and started peppering the backup goalie with shots. It could have gotten ugly. Honestly, I think the Avs Nation was holding its breath, waiting for Berra to turn into Swiss cheese (Pun intended.) and start letting goals in.

Berra stayed cool under pressure. And by that I mean, he played as if he spent most nights in net playing do-or-die hockey. He faced a barrage of shots, and he made a barrage of saves, if that’s possible.

Witness the save on Vancouver skater Luca Sbisa. The Canucks are not on the power play, but they’re putting some sustained pressure on Berra. Reto is watching the action, but it’s so fast, he ends up having to come across the crease to make the save on Sbisa. Guess what — he came across the crease to make the save on Sbisa:

Berra made a lot of other important saves that night. Ultimately, his strong play led to the first Avs win of the week.

Berra was naturally happy about the win:

"“It was a great night for me and the boys. I’m really happy right now!”"

Actually, we’re all feeling pretty happy right now. Head coach Patrick Roy has said Berra and rookie Calvin Pickard will compete for the backup position next season. It’s going to be a tough race.

Next: Reto Berra Goalie Controversy

Next: Reto Berra Can Contribute to the Avs

Next: Berra Capable of Solid Hockey

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