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Sports Then and Now



Bring Biron Back To Buffalo Comments

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Kevin Freiheit
Martin Biron would like to be more than just a backup goaltender for the Islanders.

Martin Biron would like to be more than just a backup goaltender for the Islanders.

Becoming an NHL goaltender is hard enough. Becoming an elite starting goaltender is even more challenging.

However, there are always backups. Every team has them, but they don’t necessarily prefer to use them. A starting goaltender is expected to make at least 60 starts a season, barring any type of injury.

The biggest challenge for a starting goaltender is to help their team win games. They also have to maintain their current job as a starter.

As for the backup, it is much more than just sitting on the bench watching the game. That goaltender must be prepared at all times, just like the starter. If there is any type of injury, the backup is called in and is expected to compete at their best level.

After sitting on the bench for an amount of time, it is difficult to come in and perform well.

Having a reliable backup goaltender is a very important part for a winning hockey team. There are some teams who rarely have to use the backup goalie. On the other hand, goaltenders can get injured, allowing the backup to perform.

If the team does not have a solid backup, they are going to struggle to win games. The Buffalo Sabres found this out last season.

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  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Pat Summerall: A Broadcasting Legend
      September 2, 2010 | 6:15 am

      Pat Summerall

      Our Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the month for September had very long associations with two of the sports that make headlines each September. Pat Summerall played in the NFL for 10 years before becoming one of the most recognized announcers in the sport. He also served as the voice of the U.S. Open tennis championships for CBS for more than two decades.

      After playing college football at Arkansas, Summerall was drafted by the Detroit Lions, but a broken arm ended his first season in the league. He was traded to the Chicago Cardinals and spent five seasons with them primarily as a placekicker.

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