Does Igor Bobkov = Best in the OHL?

by Phil Phillips

Who is the best goalie in the OHL?

Is it Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls? When he has played his numbers say he is in the conversation, what about London Knights Star Michael Houser, Mark Visentin of the IceDogs, Scott Wedgewood or Matt Mahalak in Plymouth, maybe 67's Peter Mrazek. But on this day I'm not looking for just great numbers, I'm looking for which goalie is the best, based on what he means to his team. The search leads me to The K-Rock centre in Kingston Via Surgut Russia and Igor Bobkov. I was surprised he wasn't moved at the deadline to a team like Belleville. The Bulls have great goal tending when Subban is healthy, and John Chartrand and Charlie Graham have been very good in some games, But with injuries to Chartrand and a 16 year old goalie in Graham who has been good, but its just not fair to put the pressure on a kid who didn't even start the year in the OHL, to lead you in to the playoffs.

I think Chartrand for Bobkov straight up would have been a great deal for everyone, Bobkov comes and helps Belleville through the injuries and Chartrand gets to be a full time starter, he wont want to be 2nd banana next year. And I don’t feel he will be back anyways because next year Belleville goes with Subban and Graham.

But by not trading him shows just how important GM Doug Gilmour and Coach Todd Gill believe Bobkov is to the young team that Kingston has. Before coming to Kingston this year Igor already had an impressive resume, he was a Silver medal winner and goaltender of the tournament at the U18s in 2009. Bobkov was drafted that year by the Anaheim Ducks 76th over all. He was the fourth goalie taken in the 09 draft. The Ducks have signed him to an entry-level contract. He also came with a Gold medal from the 2011 WJC.

This year with the Fronts he has been outstanding. He's GAA 3.46 and SV% .905 don't top the OHL. But when it comes to Kingston goaltenders it leaps and bounds better, then the other options, both of the other goalies Kingston has used, have GAA over 6.14 and SV% under .825, but that doesn't tell the whole story, He is first in the league in Shots against, facing on average over 35 a night, 14 times he has faced more then 40 shots. He is also first in saves with 1427; Bobkov is 2nd in the OHL in minutes with 2585 and games played (45). The Fronts have 15 wins on the season; Bobkov has 15 wins on the season. He gets very little PP support, Kingston's PP is last in the OHL, or even strength goal support only Erie has scored less goals then the Frontenacs. Lots of nights he has to be the teams best penalty killer, their PK is also in the bottom half of the OHL. He has beat some good teams like Niagara, Brampton, London, and in division games he has beat Ottawa and Oshawa three times, Belleville twice and Peterborough once. He has been named a 3 Star selection 14 times; in 7 of those he has been the games 1st Star. 3 of his 1st Star selections have been on the road. His highlight so far has to be the 50 save performance he put in against his former team the London Knights on JAN 13th. I know when the Bulls face the fronts, we know who Darcy Greenaway, Cody Alcock are and what they do, but it’s Bobkov we worry about.

Can Kitchener Survive with Franky Palazzese

The Rangers have a pretty impressive goaltender. In fact he was a gift that has paid off for Kitchener. He ranks tied for 10^th in wins, 6^th in Goals against and second in Save Percentage. He is John Gibson. The Kitchener Rangers rookie goaltender (Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks this past june) who has been an absolute stud in net for Kitchener. His counterpart, former Kingston Frontenacs scapegoat Frank Palazzese, is tied for 11^th in wins, 13^th in Goals Againast and 3^rd in Save Percentage. Who is the back up and who is the starter? That has been a question asked amongst many a media members this year. The Rangers faithful will always answer that Gibson is your number one netminder and Frank is not the backup, but the second goalie.

Like a few times this year, Frank Palazzese has been thrusted into the crease as not the number 1 goalie, but the only goalie. That is not only fine with Franky, but the fans wish Palazzese all the best. After the season Palazzese had in Kingston, it was a shock to most (I still believed in FP) that he can play this well. As soon as it became evident that he is a goaltender in this league the fans cheered him on as much as Gibson. Considering how rabid the Kitchener fans can be not only home at the Aud, but on the road as well, Franky says he never gets that butterfly feeling on the ice,

            ‘I don't get nervous or even think about anything negative like that, I'm just looking forward to playing, and only taking one game at a time And do the best I can in every game’

            Doing his best is what he does, I don’t think I have to try and sing the praises of him anymore. With Gibson out for another period of time, the Rangers will hope Palazzese can help guide them to at the bare minimum solidifying the 3^rd seed in the east.

The London Knights are 10 points ahead of Kitchener, but Kitchener has a game in hand. The Rangers do not have to worry about losing ground in their division with Owen Sound 14 points behind them, but Sarnia is expected to start climbing the rankings and pressure Kitchener. The only unofficial time table that has been given for Gibson is that he would be able to resume training/rehabilitation in 7-10 days after his surgery.

            Taking a look at their upcoming schedule. From the time that Gibson has surgery to the time when he should be healed, the Rangers would have played 6 games, 3 of those 6 will be against Division leaders Plymouth and London. 8 of their final 19 games are against their division. This is not the time to be having a key injury to the lineup and Palazzese says that there should be no negative thoughts withhim in net,

            ‘…not thinking anything negative just worried about one game at a time, and trying to win every single game.’

            Ranger nation may have gasped about the initial thought of running with Palazzese instead of Gibson. Heck, he understands, but the Rangers are probably better with Palazzese given the fact he has had to run lengthy spans of being the starter with Gibson out.
            ‘…with the boys we have, we all have confidence in each other to get the job done on any night’

            If Kitchener happens to lose ground it will not be because Palazzese couldn’t win the game. Not only will he prevent the Rangers from falling down the standings, he will help improve them as he always rises up to the challenge. Then again… I have been saying this since last January… Just Saying.