The backbones of their respective clubs, backstops are the last line of defence, the trusted penalty killers, and the proverbial glue that holds a team together. They are called upon night in and night out to make the clutch saves in crucial moments. With so much at stake in this high-stakes competition, a great netminder could mean the difference between advancing or bowing out.
Here's a look at some of the top goalies who have manned the creases during the first four Game Days of the 2022/23 season of the Champions Hockey League.
Hunter Miska - Straubing Tigers
The Straubing Tigers have proven to be a competitive bunch so far through the Group Stage and Hunter Miska is a big reason why. The 185 cm, 79 kg American netminder has suited up for all four games thus far where he’s compiled a 3-1 record, posting a 2.50 GAA to go along with a 91.23 SVS% and one shutout.
Through four contests, the former AHLer has faced 114 shots and has only allowed 10 goals. His last game against Färjestad Karlstad was another excellent showing for the young netminder as he only let in two goals on 35 shots to secure a 5-2 win.
Gustaf Lindvall - Skellefteå AIK
Now in his fifth CHL season, Gustaf Lindvall continues to get better in each and every iteration with Skellefteå AIK. In four games, the Skellefteå-native has faced the third-most shots at 127 while only allowing 11 goals. His most dominant outing was also his most recent where he stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 5-2 decision over current Group H leader, HC Davos. The Swede is sporting a respectable 91.34 SVS% to go along with a 2.73 GAA.
Christian Heljanko - Tappara Tampere
25-year-old Christian Heljanko is controlling the crease in his fifth CHL campaign with Tappara Tampere and sixth participation overall. He has been a fixture in the Finnish organisation and has represented the club in each of his previous five appearances, accruing a 91.78 SVS% and 2.10 GAA during that span.
Last year he helped his club to their first CHL Final and has helped Tappara get one step closer this season by securing a place in the Playoffs as the second Group C representative.
In his four starts so far, Heljanko has pulled off three victories and only allowed six goals on 95 shots. His most recent win was a 2-0 shutout against Slovan Bratislava.
Peyton Jones - Belfast Giants
As of now, the Belfast Giants are on the outside looking in as the Playoff picture comes into full view, and while their future looks uncertain, their recent shootout win against Oceláři Třinec was certainly a bright spot on a night where Peyton Jones took center stage.
The 193 cm, 95 kg netminder is appearing in his first CHL season and has been the backstop Belfast have trusted to man the blue paint since the start of the competition. While he's had some struggles, the 26-year-old American played one of his better games against the Czechs and capped off an unreal OT save with an SO victory to help his club capture their first points of the campaign.
Šimon Hrubec - ZSC Lions Zurich
ZSC Lions Zurich have qualified for their sixth consecutive Playoff appearance after securing 10 points in the Group Stage. Part of that is owed to their offensive production with the Swiss side ranked third in Goals For per game with 4.50, but another part is due to Šimon Hrubec’s outstanding play between the pipes.
The Czech goalie is in his first season with the Swiss side, and his fourth CHL campaign overall. The 31-year-old suited up with Třinec from 2012-2019 where he participated in three CHL seasons with the club, including the 2017/18 campaign that saw the Czech side skate all the way to the Semi-Finals.
This season, Hrubec has been a rock in net only allowing three goals on 55 shots, good enough for a sparkling 94.38 SVS% and an incredible 1.00 GAA. In his last contest, Hrubec stopped 12 of Fehérvár AV19’s 13 shots to secure a 5-1 victory.
Several netminders were front and center this season, dishing out spectacular saves and standing on their head to keep their clubs in the game. With that in mind, here are a few goalies who also deserve some of the spotlight.
Be sure to return later for more articles ahead of Game Days 5 & 6 and follow our social media channels to keep up on all the latest news in the CHL!