Richard Bachman To Make First NHL Start Against Kings

by Brad Gardner on Dec 10, 2011 2:25 PM CST in Dallas Stars News

SAN JOSE, CA - DECEMBER 08: Goaltender Richard Bachman #31 of the Dallas Stars makes a glove hand save against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion at San Jose on December 8, 2011 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 5-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Mike Heika is on the trip with the Stars as usual and word from his twitter account after morning skate is that rookie goaltender Richard Bachman, after appearing in relief of Andrew Raycroft on Saturday, will make his first NHL start.

"You work every day in the minors to get that chance, and it's always on your mind,'' Bachman said on Friday. "It keeps pushing you to get better, to get the opportunity, so if I do get that chance, I want to make the most of it.''

Heika says that Bachman's custom is to not speak to media on days when he will start, so he was unavailable for comment today. Bachman's 20 minutes on Thursday saw him go a perfect 11 for 11. His only previous NHL experience was 10 minutes in relief last season that saw him stop four shots. He's a perfect 15 of 15 in his career, but he's about to be tested for real tonight in a building that has been historically unkind (to put it mildly) to the Dallas Stars.

Raycroft was critical of himself after practice yesterday. "You just can't give up five goals, that's the reality of it. I still feel comfortable with my game, but I just have to find a way to get in front of one of those and change the game. I just need to be a little more compact, a little more solid, and it will go our way."

"I've got to be better," he said quite simply.

The Kings will start Jonathan Bernier in net at the other end. He's 1-1-1 in his career against the Stars, 2-3-0 this season with a .893 save percentage.

Side note: The late start will be even later than you think: 9:50pm puck drop. The Kings will honor Bernie Nicholls in what is being described as a "lengthy" pre-game ceremony. They'll also wear their lovely purple and gold tonight.

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YES!!! Hopefully he has a good game.

Glad to see that the Kings will be wearing some actual colors tonight as well in place of the black jerseys, although that 9:50 start time is ridiculous.

by Travis Drybread on Dec 10, 2011 2:40 PM CST reply actions

Yea couldn't they have honored him when another western team was in town

But seeing something besides a black jersey against one of the Pacific teams will be nice.

by chris1989 on Dec 10, 2011 3:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

No Kidding. The Sharks or Hawks would have made MUCH more sense.

This means a 10:50 start for me, so I likely won’t get to see much of Bachman. Here’s hoping he has a solid game.

by LilEagle on Dec 10, 2011 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

Bernie Nicholls?

Really?

This must mean Gary Shuchuk Night isn’t far behind.

Writer for Defending Big D

by Brandon Bibb on Dec 10, 2011 2:46 PM CST reply actions

RE: Bernie Nicholls

Grew up in LA and moved to Arkansas and became stars fan. But Gary Shuchuck. Give Nicholls some credit. Gary Shuchuk 13 career goals. Bernie Nicholls 475 Goals and 1200+ points That puts him 150 or so points behind Modano. I would say that thats pretty good, Wouldn’t you?? I hope Bachman does as good of a job of not regurgitating the puck as he did the other night. Go Stars.

by RARVAI on Dec 10, 2011 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

I really like what Gully said about Bachman

About how he reads the play really well, I think that’s essential for a goaltender and even more so if you are of the small and athletic variety. I remember when Turco was a great goaltender he was so good at being a step or two ahead and knowing where the puck was going to go so he’d always know when to move and when not to move and where to over commit and where to hang back a bit. I think its great that Bachman can read in a similar fashion. (I’m not saying he will be as good as Turco ever was btw)

I remember thinking this to myself even before seeing this quote during the 3rd period of that last San Jose game. I forget who it was but a shark got a centering pass in the slot and looked poised to rip it far side, and most goalies I think would have pushed hard to get to the right side of the goal. Instead, Bachman pushed slightly so if it was going right he’d have an advantage and maybe not have to flop to make the save. When the Shark player got it he actually moved more out to the left and shot it against the grain. And since he only moved slightly to cover the right because he anticipated a player might take advantage of that and go back across the grain, Bachman had the left pad out to make a great save. I absolutely LOVED that kind of cerebral play from a goaltender. A lot of highlight goals we see are cross ice passes that instead of one timers become backhand moves across the crease and its because goalies almost always just flop and put everything they have into a post to post dive.

I also loved the anticipation he showed on that one tip off of a slap shot. Instead of just butterflying and playing the numbers game he saw the tip and came out to fight it with his blocker. I thought that was amazing too,

Can’t wait to see his stuff, but unfortunately the game will only be starting at 10:50 here in Boston

GO STARS

by brickwall5 on Dec 10, 2011 5:19 PM CST reply actions