Comrie comes up big in rare start

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This article was published 27/02/2022 (1349 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – It wasn’t Eric Comrie’s best game of his professional career, nor was it even the best game of his 2021-22 NHL season.

But when the Winnipeg Jets needed him to come up big against the Arizona Coyotes Sunday afternoon, the 26-year-old was up to the task, turning aside 26 saves in a 5-3 win in front of 10,152 at Gila River Arena.

“He’s been great for us all year. When he was called upon, he was ready,” Jets forward Kyle Connor said of Comrie after the game. “He works so hard in practice. So, it’s no shock to us when he comes in there. (We’re) 6-on-5, a couple (chances) late there in the third period as well. He’s looked real sharp.” Comrie wasn’t perfect for the entire 60 minutes. He allowed two goals in the first, including being deked out on a highlight-reel marker from Barrett Hayton late in the frame. He was also fooled by a third goal from a sneaky pass from behind the net by Loui Eriksson that led to a go-ahead marker from Nick Ritchie midway through the second.

But he kept the Jets up 2-1 in the first period with a glorious save on Riley Nash. He then robbed Phil Kessel on a point-blank shot in the slot minutes into the third period, with the puck turning the other way and leading to Connor’s eventual game-winner.

“That’s always nice. I’m not going to lie. That’s really nice when you make a save and they go down and score,” Comrie said, before playing the humble card. “I mean, it doesn’t really matter if I made the save or not, it’s just always nice to see the team score and it’s always nice to make a big save. It’s just important for the team to get the win and I’m just happy with it.”

Comrie hasn’t had an easy ride throughout his NHL career, with plenty bumps along the way. He’s played a game in six different seasons, for three different teams (Winnipeg, Arizona, New Jersey), totalling 19 games.

With the Jets spending up to the NHL’s salary cap, making it impossible to sign Laurent Brossoit to play another year behind starter Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg gave Comrie his first real shot at earning a backup role. The California native makes a league-minimum US$700,000 per season.

Being a No. 2, especially behind a workhorse like Hellebuyck, means playing sparingly over an 82-game season. And when you are called into action you have to prove yourself worthy of keeping the job, with little opportunity to salvage a rough outing.

“It’s got to be tough, but it’s just a testament to his work ethic, being ready,” added Connor. “He’s quiet confidence back there and we feel confident as a group playing in front of him. We practice with him every day and we know what type of goalie he is, so when he goes in there it’s no change in mentality for us.” With the win, Comrie improved to 6-2-1 this season, with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. Not eye-popping numbers, but all are career-bests, and he’s earned key wins over the likes of the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars.

Against the Coyotes, while a league-worst 14-35-4, Comrie was playing in just his third game since Dec. 10.

“A couple (goals) you want back. That’s hockey though,” Comrie said. “You just have to regroup and refocus and go out there and stop the next puck and that’s my job. To go out there and stop one puck at a time and just play and get wins for this hockey team. I’m just really happy with the result tonight and for the win.”

Interim head coach Dave Lowry said the plan was always to give Hellebuyck a rest against the Coyotes. Usually, Comrie is called upon to play one of the games on back-to-back nights. And you wonder if Lowry might have been tempted to call on Hellebuyck after the Jets opened their four-game road trip with three straight losses.

Alas, Lowry went with Comrie and the plan paid off.

“He’s a consummate professional,” Lowry said. “That’s what pros do. They wait for opportunities, and they take advantage of it. He’s done that and he’s been a huge player for us and albeit, he hasn’t played a ton of games, but he’s given us the games that we needed when he’s been in there.”

Lowry wrapped up his post-game press conference with an update on forward Andrew Copp. Copp returned to practice Saturday from a concussion he suffered in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Feb. 16.

The Jets will continue to evaluate him, and Copp could be possible for a return in the first of a four-game homestand Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton