Braehead Clan Head Coach Ryan Finnerty hailed netminder Travis Fullerton after his shut-out against Coventry Blaze on Saturday – and says he has no plans to change things.
Chris Holt returns to Britain this week following treatment from his injury, but may find it difficult to unseat the current incumbent who has yet to play in a losing team since arriving.
Finnery admits Fullerton has been something of a surprise since arriving to cover for injured Holt at the end of last month.
He said: “Travis has been a rock for us since he came in. He’s gone above and beyond what we thought we were getting and he’s been so calm back there.
“He keeps everyone calm around him and is very professional, makes some big saves and never gives up on pucks.
“Plus he’s quick, flexible and shows great athletic ability when those pucks are loose and he has to scramble across his crease.
“He’s fun to watch and I was pleased for him to get a shut-out. He nearly got one the other week, but missed out in the dying seconds so it was good to see him finally get one.
“Chris is due back this week, but there’s no plan to change it with the way things have been going. You’d be pretty crazy to alter a winning formula so we ride it out and see where we are.”
Clan blanked Blaze for the third time this season in a 3-0 win that followed up Friday’s 6-3 victory over Manchester Storm.
Finnerty was pleased his players did enough to grind the result out in what was a tough night, but refused to get drawn on Clan’s title prospects.
He added: “I thought we found a way to win on Saturday and although it wasn’t our most complete performance, we did what we had to do and defended well in breaking them down.
“It was a good all-round display and while we didn’t create a lot offensively, you have to give Coventry a ton of credit.
“They’re good defensively and it was tough to get around their goalie, but at this time of year you find ways to win and we did that.
“But I don’t want to talk about whether or not we’re title contenders. That’s for everyone else to debate among themselves.”
(Image permission: Al Goold Photo)
