{"id":4783,"date":"2016-12-30T13:19:54","date_gmt":"2016-12-30T18:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=4783"},"modified":"2016-12-30T13:19:54","modified_gmt":"2016-12-30T18:19:54","slug":"jared-coreau-makes-strong-case-centennial-classic-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/12\/30\/jared-coreau-makes-strong-case-centennial-classic-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Jared Coreau Makes Strong Case For Centennial Classic Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jared Coreau<\/b>\u00a0is forcing Detroit Red Wings head coach <\/span>Jeff Blashill to make some very difficult decisions very soon. When <\/span>Jimmy Howard<\/b>, in the midst of an elite season, went down with an MCL Sprain, <\/span>Petr Mrazek<\/b> was expected to take reigns. However, after two solid performances, the <\/span>Grand Rapids Griffins call-up should get a strong look to start this upcoming weekend\u2019s Centennial Classic. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jared Coreau Makes Strong Case For Centennial Classic Start<\/b><\/h2>\n

In his first NHL start on December 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Coreau posted a .889 SV%, stopping 32 of 36 shots, in a 5-3 loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champions. It was a valiant effort against a team whose 3.43 G\/GP ranks second in the league and in a game where the Wings just couldn’t hold a 3-1 lead in the third period. If there was ever a case of being thrown into the deep end and forced to swim, this was it. <\/span><\/p>\n

This was the only game Coreau played in his first stint up, as Mrazek took over from there until Howard’s return.<\/span> It didn\u2019t take long for Howard to fall again<\/span><\/a>, however, and suddenly Coreau found himself with the big club once again. <\/span><\/p>\n

Coreau\u2019s started two of the team\u2019s three games since his latest call-up and both of them have been victories. Against the <\/span>Florida Panthers, Coreau registered his first NHL win in a shootout after playing a solid third period where the team staged a comeback. Against the <\/span>Ottawa Senators, Coreau turned aside 26 shots in an overtime victory in his hometown in front of family and friends, including 92-year old Grandma Pat<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over his three games for the Red Wings, Coreau\u2019s posted a .908 SV% and 2.93 GAA. These numbers are by no means elite. In fact, they aren\u2019t even league average. But they are not bad for a rookie goalie in his first three NHL games with a team flirting with the basement of the NHL. They might even be good enough to win the start at the Centennial Classic, since the other half of Detroit\u2019s current goalie tandem has been on a bit of a skid. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mrazek\u2019s Play Hurting<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mrazek was dealt another blow on Tuesday night when he let in four goals on 22 shots in a 4-3 loss to the division rival <\/span>Buffalo Sabres. The performance really hurt Mrazek\u2019s 2016-17 stats, bringing his SV% down to .896 and his GAA up to 3.11. These numbers are far below his career average .916 SV% and 2.44 GAA. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mrazek is no write-off, though. Red Wings fans will recall last season\u2019s heroics where he posted a .931 SV% and 1.84 GAA through January and February. These were truly elite numbers that even had Mrazek in the Vezina discussion. <\/span><\/p>\n

This makes Sunday\u2019s decision of who to start very difficult for Coach Blashill. On the one hand, he\u2019s got his future starting goalie having a rough season. He knows this is not Mrazek\u2019s standard of play. He\u2019s seen what Mrazek can truly do. So to give starts to the rookie backup will only\u00a0chip away at Mrazek\u2019s already low confidence level. On the other hand, you\u2019ve got to go with the hot glove and, even though Coreau\u2019s glove may not be <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> hot, it\u2019s definitely hotter than Mrazek\u2019s at the moment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Outdoor Games Are Something Special<\/b><\/h2>\n

When asked about playing outdoors for an NHL regular season game, most players will answer, \u201cIt\u2019s a special thing\u201d (or something along those lines). The outdoor rink is a winter tradition for young hockey players and a rite of passage in the hockey world. It\u2019s where dreams are made and skills are developed. There\u2019s no better way to learn shot accuracy than having to hit the net for fear of losing the puck to the snow. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, these dreams will become a reality for one of Detroit\u2019s goalies on New Year\u2019s Day on the biggest stage in hockey. Mrazek had to sit out the last outdoor game in the 2013-14 season in favour of Howard. Will he have to sit this one out too?<\/span><\/p>\n

The 25-year old Perth, Ontario native may just supplant him.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n