FanHome - View Single Post - GDT: Predators @ Coyotes - 12/4/2006

PredDave · December 4th, 2006, 10:16 AM

Tellqvist set to make debut

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyo...yotesnb04.html

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 4, 2006 12:00 AM

Mikael Tellqvist is going to make his debut with the Coyotes tonight vs. Nashville and become the fourth goaltender to start for Phoenix in its first 25 games.

Coach Wayne Gretzky named Tellqvist, whom Phoenix acquired via trade from Toronto last week, tonight's starter before Sunday's practice and said Tellqvist also would start either Wednesday's game in Dallas or Thursday's game in Chicago.

Curtis Joseph has started the past five games and is getting over the flu.

Tellqvist has played just one NHL game this season and lost it 2-1 to New Jersey on Nov. 18. He stopped 17 of 19 shots.

Rust may be a factor tonight.

"I won't put too much pressure on myself because it's probably going to take a little while to get back into a groove," Tellqvist said. "You can only practice so much. You need to be in game situations."

Tellqvist is Joseph's third backup this season.

Mike Morrison and then David LeNeveu failed to keep that job, and Gretzky shipped them to the minor leagues.

Tellqvist said playing in hockey hotbed Toronto and the Olympic Games - he helped Sweden win a gold medal earlier this year - has prepared him for pressure situations like this one.

"You have to perform every game," Tellqvist said. "The pressure I put on myself is more than the pressure from anybody else. I'm playing for a contract for next year, too."

Tellqvist, 27, is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2007.

December 4th, 2006, 10:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Tellqvist set to make debut http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyo...yotesnb04.html David Vest The Arizona Republic Dec. 4, 2006 12:00 AM Mikael Tellqvist is going to make his debut with the Coyotes tonight vs. Nashville and become the fourth goaltender to start for Phoenix in its first 25 games. Coach Wayne Gretzky named Tellqvist, whom Phoenix acquired via trade from Toronto last week, tonight's starter before Sunday's practice and said Tellqvist also would start either Wednesday's game in Dallas or Thursday's game in Chicago. Curtis Joseph has started the past five games and is getting over the flu. Tellqvist has played just one NHL game this season and lost it 2-1 to New Jersey on Nov. 18. He stopped 17 of 19 shots. Rust may be a factor tonight. "I won't put too much pressure on myself because it's probably going to take a little while to get back into a groove," Tellqvist said. "You can only practice so much. You need to be in game situations." Tellqvist is Joseph's third backup this season. Mike Morrison and then David LeNeveu failed to keep that job, and Gretzky shipped them to the minor leagues. Tellqvist said playing in hockey hotbed Toronto and the Olympic Games - he helped Sweden win a gold medal earlier this year - has prepared him for pressure situations like this one. "You have to perform every game," Tellqvist said. "The pressure I put on myself is more than the pressure from anybody else. I'm playing for a contract for next year, too." Tellqvist, 27, is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2007.