Impressive Performance by Ilya Sorokin
In an impressive display of skill, Ilya Sorokin, the goaltender for the New York Islanders, achieved a remarkable feat by stopping every one of the 33 shots he faced during a dominant 5-0 victory against the New York Rangers. This performance not only secured a shutout but also allowed Sorokin to surpass Islanders legend Billy Smith on the franchise leaderboard for shutouts, now holding 23 to Smith’s 22, with Glenn “Chico” Resch still leading with 25 shutouts.
Reflections on Performance
Reflecting on his performance, Sorokin expressed, “I felt focused in all three periods. I just played minute by minute. I could see it in my head all game.” His confidence has notably surged as he continues to evolve this season.
Coaching Praise and Team Sentiments
Head coach Patrick Roy praised Sorokin’s progress, noting, “I feel like he’s playing with a lot of confidence. The change in goalie coaching has really helped him connect well with Sergei Naumovs. It’s beneficial for both him and the team to see that kind of focus and size in net.”
Meanwhile, teammate Bo Horvat echoed these sentiments by stating, “He was phenomenal. His timing for those big saves makes it exciting to play in front of him.”
Recent Performance Metrics
After a challenging start to the season, Sorokin’s recent performances indicate a turnaround. Over his last three outings, he has recorded a stellar 1.30 goals against average (GAA) and a .952 save percentage, ranking him as the top goalie in those metrics among NHL players with at least three games played during that period, according to Islanders statistician Eric Hornick. Since the appointment of Naumovs as goalie coach, Sorokin’s statistics reflect significant improvement with a 2.14 GAA and a .915 save percentage in six games played. The Islanders are hopeful that this momentum will lead to a more consistent performance as the season progresses.
