Nearly every year Team Canada came up short at the world junior championship, their goaltending was partially to blame.
Canada's biggest goaltending debacle happened in 2005 with Marc-Andre Fleury, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As the No. 1 pick of the 2003 National Hockey League entry draft, it seemed there shouldn't be a problem with Fleury between the pipes. But despite his elite prospect status, he made arguably the biggest mistake in Team Canada history. With little time remaining in the gold medal game against the States, Fleury misplayed the puck into his own net, costing Canada gold. The honest mistake had millions of Canadians yelling at their television screens, frustrated with Fleury's poor read.
The most recent memory of Canada's goaltending woes happened in 2011 with Mark Visentin, a Phoenix Coyotes first-round pick.
In the gold medal game against Russia, Canada went into the third period with a 3-0 lead. It seemed they had it in the bag; however, Visentin and the rest of Canada's defence broke down, letting in five goals to go on to lose 3-5.
Malcolm Subban, Jordan Binnington, and Jake Paterson are Canada's three puck stoppers headed to Russia for the U-20 tourney this year.
Subban, the brother of Montreal Canadiens star P.K. Subban, is expected to be their No. 1 guy in the blue paint. It seems it is his job to lose.
The Boston Bruins first-round pick has been dynamite with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. He has maintained a 2.17 average and .932 save percentage throughout 26 games this season.
In terms of pure athleticism, strong statistics, and prospect status, Subban has a lot going for him. On paper, it would appear Canada has it made between the pipes.
Nonetheless, no one should hold his-or-her breath for Subban to carry Canada to a gold medal. Subban, like any other goaltender, has off nights from time to time. Hopefully for Canada that won't happen in Russia.
If Subban falters early, Canada will look to Binnington or Paterson.
Both goaltenders are relatively unknown, but that doesn't mean they won't be able to get the job done. Puck stoppers without a lot of hype have won gold medals in the past such as Justin Pogge in 2006 and Dan Cloutier in 1995.
Binnington, a St. Louis Blues prospect, broke out this year with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, posting a .930 save percentage and a 2.31 average in 26 games.
His playoff stats don't exactly look that hot, though. Throughout nine post-season contests, he has a .888 save percentage. This is a little alarming when looking for how he performs in pressure situations.
Paterson, 18, wasn't expected to make the final cut. Many didn't believe his .901 percentage and 3.49 average with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL was up to par with the norm of world junior goaltender stats.
Nevertheless, Canada head coach Steve Spott went against the grain and gave him a spot. It appears the plan is for Paterson to be the No. 3 goaltender. He shouldn't see any playing time in a big game unless injuries happen. It is tough to say whether he can be better than average if his name is indeed called, though.
The one goaltender expected by many insiders to make the team who didn't is Edmonton Oil Kings' Laurent Brossoit, a Calgary Flames prospect.
Brossoit stood on his head last year for the Oil Kings, leading them to a WHL championship with a 2.04 average and a .933 save percentage.
Despite his appealing history in crucial situations and his strong performance at the tryout camp, Spott, who also coaches the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, chose to take a pass on him.
Familiarity is a big deal with coaches. With Spott being from Ontario, it appears him knowing more about Binnington and Paterson could have played a major factor in his final decision in the netminder department.
Canada is undoubtedly due for a strong goaltending performance. But if their play in the blue paint is below par again, it seems inevitable fans will doubt Spott's decision to cut Brossoit.
