SPORTS

Winnipeg Jets recall Eddie Pasquale as backup netminder sidelined

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, February 13, 2013 11:34AM CST Last Updated Thursday, February 28, 2013 7:08PM CST

Winnipeg Jets' backup goalie Al Montoya is shown at a hockey practice on Jan. 9, 2013 in Winnipeg.

Text:

WINNIPEG -- Eddie Pasquale is getting a shot with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Jets called up the goaltender from the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League after an injury to backup Al Montoya.

Montoya started Tuesday night's 3-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers but didn't finish due to lower-body injury. Ondrej Pavelec, who was sidelined with the flu Saturday in Ottawa, replaced Montoya in the third and allowed one goal.

Afterwards, coach Claude Noel said he didn't know how serious Montoya's injury might be.

The Jets don't provide much information on injuries but having to call up Pasquale is an indication Montoya will be out for a little while at least.

This is Pasquale's first visit with the Jets but the 22-year-old has played in 36 games for the IceCaps this season. He has a 14-19-2 record, 2.63 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

After losing him, the IceCaps called up goaltender Chris Carrozzi from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.

Last season, Pasquale was named to the AHL's All-Rookie team.

In three starts this season, Montoya has two wins, including a shutout, a 2.74 goals-against average and save percentage of .889.

After a promising start this season, Pavelec and the Jets in general, have struggled. Pavelec currently ranks 30th in the NHL with a 3.28 GAA and .886 save percentage. He has only three wins in his nine starts so far.

Pavelec has said he's feeling better and eating again but he also knows he needs to pick up his game. He finished last season 19th among NHL goalies with a 2.91 GAA and .906 save percentage.

"My game is not there where I want to be and we're working on it," he said this week.

But goaltending isn't Winnipeg's only problem. Its forwards also aren't scoring enough.

Until Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler each picked up two points Tuesday night, the team didn't have any players among the NHL's top-50 scoring forwards.