Colorado Avalanche Goalie Pavel Francouz to Make His Debut
Rookie goalie Pavel Francouz will get his first preseason start today against the Wild in Minnesota. Francouz is slated to be the team’s backup.
The Colorado Avalanche have traveled to Minnesota to face the Wild in their third preseason contest of the year. Jared Bednar stated in his post-practice presser that goalie Pavel Francouz will get the start.
Francouz was an undrafted free agent the Avs picked up last summer. He played all of last season with the Colorado Eagles. With the AHL team, Francouz posted a 27-17-3 record, 2.67 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 49 games.
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The Czech-born goalie also sat in the backup position for a few Avalanche games. He saw a little action as relief two times. In those two games, he recorded a 1.97 GAA and .943 save percentage in a total of about 60 minutes.
Francouz also played in a single preseason game last year, against the Vegas Golden Knights. He stopped 29 of 32 shots with a .906 save percentage en route to Colorado’s first preseason win.
Let’s hope he backstops them to a win again. Just like last year, he’s starting in Game 3 of the preseason with the Avs currently winless. He sat as Philipp Grubauer‘s backup in Game 2.
After Colorado’s practice yesterday, Francouz talked about the difference between practice and game action:
"“I mean in a practice it is more controlled, the guys going at you and they can pick the spot. In a game it is a little bit different for them and for you as well because you don’t really have time.”"
Experts often agree that regular practices are the worst way for goalies to hone their games. The focus is usually on finding ways for the skaters to score, which is counter to what you want your goalie focusing on. That’s why most goalies work before practice with a goalie coach.
Francouz also detailed what he saw in game action:
"“There are your players, there is the opposing team and everything is happening really fast, so it’s a different feeling and that is why we play the exhibition games.”"
Well, Frnacouz will definitely need the NHL practice. (If you can call the Minnesota Wild an NHL team anymore — I had to go there.) He’s a 29-year-old NHL rookie. And he’s currently our backup to starter Philipp Grubauer.
Francouz made a name for himself in the KHL before the Colorado Avalanche brought him over. He played for three years with the Traktor Chelyabinsk. His last season with them, he recorded a 1.80 GAA and .946 save percentage, so it’s obvious why the Avs took a flyer on him.
But it’s a big step to then make him the backup goalie after a year in the AHL. He’ll get at least 30 starts, and that’s a lot for a team to bet on a rookie.
However, we Avs fans agitated for him to get his NHL shot. Well, I guess it’s Frankie time, at least for the preseason.
I’m going to guess the Colorado Avalanche will use this afternoon’s game at least partially to determine if they need to run out and sign one of the few remaining NHL-proven UFA goalies, such as Scott Darling or Chad Johnson.
How to Enjoy the Game
Game time: Sept. 21, 4:00 pm MT
TV Networks: FSN-N+*
Radio: Altitude Radio (FM 92.5/AM 950)
*At the time of writing, Fox Sports North was essentially blacked out in most of the home market by Dish Network.
Next. 5 Things I'd Like to See in the Preseason. dark
Today’s game represents the first of a home-and-home, back-to-back series against Minnesota. The Avs will host the Wild tomorrow afternoon for the final home preseason game.