Despite the recently broken winning streak, the Moser Medical Graz99ers can look back on the last few weeks with satisfaction. Netminder Maxime Lagace has played a large part in a strong season so far.
The 32-year-old Canadian has won twelve of his appearances and currently has a goals against average of 1.98 and a catch rate of 92.2%. Only David Kickert has a lower average with 1.44 GAA, although the Austro goalie also played nine fewer games. A similar picture when comparing the catch rates across the league: 1st place for Kickert with 94%, 2nd place for Ferencvaros goalie Kristof Nagy with 93%, but the Hungarian also has eight games fewer in his legs than the 99ers goalkeeper.
On Wednesday, the Graz team had to narrowly admit defeat to the top team from Laibach in front of their home crowd – they ultimately lost out in the penalty shootout with a score of 2:3. “It was a good game with nice goals and hard work on both sides. And in a penalty shootout you never know what’s going to happen anyway. Laibach was the happier team in the end,” Lagace told the “Crown newspaper“.
Lagace at the “highest level”
The left-handed catcher is currently in his third season outside of North America and is visibly comfortable on the ice: “I’m currently playing at my highest level and I’m feeling great too. The great support from everyone is really good. And my front guys are blocking so many shots night after night – I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken together. I’m just trying to do my job. My self-confidence is high, it’s exactly where it should be.”
Today Lagace and the Moser Medical Graz99ers face the third duel of the season with Hydro Fehervar AV19. Both teams won one game. The away game at EC Red Bull Salzburg awaits the Styrians on Sunday.
Image: Vanna Antonello
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