The 2021/22 Group Stage of the Champions Hockey League produced some incredible goals, but equally amazing saves and goaltending performances. Here's our pick of some of the top goaltenders of the Group Stage:
Connor Hughes
Swiss side Fribourg-Gottéron had a dream start to their CHL season largely thanks to 25-year-old Connor Hughes. Hughes has split netminding responsibilities with teammate Reto Berra. In four games, Hughes has been a brick wall, giving up just four goals. Even more impressive is the fact that in two of those games, Hughes also recorded shutouts.
With 121 saves to his name, the Canadian-born netminder will round out a solid 96.80 save percentage in the Group Stage. More importantly, with six straight wins, Fribourg not only qualified for the Playoffs, they also picked up top spot in Group F finishing six points ahead of Leksands IF with 18 points.
The next challenge for Fribourg and Hughes are German powerhouse Red Bull Munich. The last time the two sides met was back during the 2016/17 CHL season, where both sides won their respective matches at home, but lost their road games!
Matija Pintarič
We can't miss our Team of the Group Stage winner Pintarič - with an incredible 213 saves in six games, 32-year old netminder Matijia Pintarič was kept very busy between the pipes for the Rouen Dragons during the Group Stage matches. Rouen finished with ten points in Group G, just three points behind Austrian rivals KAC Klagenfurt who topped the group with 13. That result was enough for the French side to qualify.
Pintarič, who hails from Slovenia, was instrumental in helping his team qualify for the Round of 16 and with 358 minutes of playing time, he was vital in securing three wins over six games and concludes the Group Stage with a save percentage of 93.83.
Rouen and Pintarič will have their sights set on a new Austrian opponent, Red Bull Salzburg, who during their last encounter ended Rouen's hopes of CHL glory during the 2018/19 campaign.
Alexander Salák
Sparta Prague's Alexander Salák came up with some monumental saves, including clutch moments, like his shootout shutout against TPS Turku on Game Day 2. In 243 minutes of game time, the 34-year-old netminder has made 113 saves, and conceded just seven goals, giving him a 94.17 save percentage.
This is Salák's second season with the Czech side and his solid performance comes off the back of an equally strong 2020/21 domestic season where he recorded a 94.00 save percentage and helped his team achieve a playoff berth.
Sparta topped Group A, tallying five wins in six games, and fell just once to Swedish rivals the Växjö Lakers in their opening game. The Czech team now look forward to a first time match-up in the Round of 16 against Swedish opponents Skellefteå AIK.
Sebastian Dahm
Austrian team KAC Klagenfurt experienced a somewhat rocky start to their CHL season, taking their first two games into overtime, but have come out on top twice. For the Austrian side, 34-year-old Sebastian Dahm, who is in his second season with Klagenfurt, has been a beacon of consistency between the pipes with 105 saves in five games. With 301 playing minutes under his belt, the Danish netminder has allowed just seven goals on his watch and currently sits on a 93.75 save percentage.
Dahm is right on track for a second great season, off the back of hugely successful 2020/21 domestic season where he picked up a number of accolades including: Best GAA (1.81), Best SVS% (.931), ICE Best SVS% in the Playoffs (.934), ICE Most Valuable Player, and ICE Champion.
Klagenfurt topped Group G with 13 points, and will take on league newcomers Leksands IF in the Round of 16.
Kevin Boyle
With 145 saves over four games, including three wins and one loss, American netminder Kevin Boyle has been a key asset in HC Bolzano's quest to successfully navigate Group H, and that they did. The team recorded four wins in total and two losses, putting the Italian side at 13 points, just one behind group leaders Red Bull Salzburg. Over the duration of the games played, the 29-year-old, who is in his debut year with Bolzano, allowed nine goals to cross his line, giving him a save percentage of 94.16.
Bolzano are now pegged to play Finnish side Lukko Rauma. Despite both sides having played in multiple CHL seasons, this will be the first time that the two sides have faced-off against each other.
That's our pick of the best goaltenders of the Group Stage, but who do you think takes home the ultimate Goaltender crown? Get voting!