Column: Goalies lifting Wolves' record

Normally, a record of 4-7-0-1 isn’t something to get excited about, but for the 2014-2015 Sudbury Wolves, it’s a highlight.

That was the Wolves record in the month of November and the only reason it's worth noting is because the team was 0-11 in October.

Although there are a number of factors for the improvement last month, the main reason for me has been the solid play of goaltenders Troy Timpano and Samuel Tanguay.

On paper, you may be wondering how goaltending has been a positive.

True on paper, it’s hard to make the case. Timpano has a 3-14-1 record, a 4.44 goals against average and a save percentage of .888. Tanguay’s numbers are almost identical at 2-6 with a 4.43 goals against average and a save percentage of .887.

That said, on a struggling team that went through a stretch of giving up more than 40 shots almost every night, you can only hope that your goalies can weather the storm long enough to give your team a fighting chance.

Troy Timpano has done that on most nights.

He came into the season as the No. 1 starter at 16 years of age and after getting very limited ice time last season, playing behind Franky Palazzese. When he did play, he looked good and gave you the impression he could handle the pressure of being the starter.

While it was rough going for the first 14 games of the season, Timpano stood tall in the Wolves' net night after night. Yes, there were some lopsided losses, but a lot of that had to do with the weak defence playing in front of him.

Timpano was making saves, but he was forced to make two and sometimes even three on one play — a lot to ask of any goalie.

The law of averages will catch up with you, but it is worth noting Timpano has been among the Top 5 all season long when it comes to saves made.

Meanwhile, it’s been interesting to watch Tanguay's progression.

Unlike Timpano, he was a virtual unknown. Tanguay was a surprise addition to training camp, but it quickly became apparent the Wolves may have found a diamond in the rough.

He turned heads during camp and again during the pre-season, and the next thing you know, this 19-year-old free agent and rookie from Beauport, Que., had won the back-up role.

As mentioned, Tanguay was unknown. It wasn’t until I did some research that I realized he had some impressive numbers playing Junior A last season for the Kingston Voyageurs of the OJHL.

Tanguay certainly hasn’t looked out of place in the OHL. A perfect example: his 46-save performance Nov. 16 in Kitchener. That win ended the Wolves' 24-game losing streak at Memorial Auditorium.

Both Timpano and Tanguay registered two wins apiece in November and while that doesn’t compare with the top teams in the league, it is definitely an improvement.

Everyone connected with the Wolves continues to say that making the playoffs remains the goal.

Let's face it, realistically, that's a long shot, but the team’s improved play last month is a step in the right direction.

As long as Timpano and Tanguay continue to be as solid as they've been, at least we know the Wolves will be competitive.

And that's something that couldn’t have been said just a few short weeks ago.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the News Director at KiSS 105.3 and Q92.