Jets’ Comrie clutch in backup role

Eric Comrie has mastered the art of being ready to roll whenever he’s called upon.

The theory seems simple enough, but in the world of backup goalies, it’s a necessity that isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds.

The Winnipeg Jets backup goalie is the guy that goes on the ice early, stays out late and regularly faces challenging scenarios that he embraces.

“He’s the hardest worker on this team — by a mile,” said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. “He’s a guy that gives it his all every single practice, every single morning skate. It’s good to see his continued hard work and dedication to the game pay off for him.”

With Connor Hellebuyck set to make his fourth start at the Olympic in Friday’s semifinal against Slovakia(2:10 p.m. CT) — and with the potential to make a fifth on the weekend in the medal round, plus the grueling travel back to North America early next week — Comrie is expected to be between the pipes when the Jets return to action against the Vancouver Canucks next Wednesday at Rogers Arena.

That will begin a stretch of 26 games in 51 days for the Jets, who will enter action 11 points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.

The next start Comrie makes will tie his career mark for NHL appearances in a single season.

“I mean, it’s exciting, but once again, it’s just working every single day,” said Comrie. “It’s going to be an honour to play the most games I play. It’s the best league in the world, and I don’t take for granted how good this league is and how hard it is staying here.”

Comrie admits this campaign has been a bit of a roller-coaster.

“It’s been a strange season. I think it’s been a strange season for the whole group,” said Comrie. “It’s been filled with ups and downs, but I think the whole team has kind of been that way.

“In the last few, three games, I felt very, very good, I felt very sharp, and I’m just looking to continue that.”

Comrie has plenty of reasons to feel good. During those past three starts, he’s allowed a grand total of three goals: one in each of those games. That helped push his save percentage up to .892 and his goals-against average down to 3.07.

Those numbers aren’t in the same ballpark as last season, when Comrie was exceptional in posting career-bests in save percentage (.914) and goals-against average (2.39).

But this is a case where the numbers were skewed by several outings, several of which came during the Jets lengthy losing skid.

With Hellebuyck sidelined with a knee injury, Comrie was busier than he’s ever been at the NHL level — starting 11 of 12 games between Nov. 18 and Dec. 11 — and he conceded that he put some additional pressure on himself during that span.

“With the stress, the losing streak, and just a lot of games I played there in a short amount of time, I wasn’t fully used to that,” said Comrie. “So, I think I just put a little bit of pressure on myself. I was trying a little bit too hard, and I was maybe hindering myself. I was reacting slower, instead of just letting things happen and calming down and being relaxed and just letting the game happen.”

Since Hellebuyck has returned to the lineup, Comrie settled back into the groove, which is imperative given how compressed the schedule is going to be during the stretch run.

Jets head coach Scott Arniel was asked about the value of having someone with Comrie’s personality on the roster.

“It is such an important position in this league,” said Arniel. “I know there is a stretch in there where he stepped in when we weren’t playing our best hockey and he didn’t get rewarded with the wins but, at the end of the day, he has been strong for us.

“His work ethic in practice, he stays out, he is one of the last guys to come off the ice and you know when he’s in the building because you can hear him coming from a mile away, (telling) his stories, but at the end of the day he is just a great teammate and the guys love him.”

Although Comrie is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents on the Jets’ roster, he’s a prime candidate for an extension, especially when you consider his relationship with Hellebuyck and that the two top goalie prospects in the system (Dom DiVincentiis and Thomas Milic) will likely need another season of American Hockey League seasoning before they’re ready to push for full-time NHL work.

As has been the case throughout his career, Comrie is going to focus on what is in front of him and let the future take care of itself.

“Just enjoy the moment when it comes,” said Comrie. “The biggest thing for me would just be my mindset, mentally. That’s the biggest thing I’ve had to work on is understanding and believing my game is good enough. Trust in my game and trust in my ability.”

Speaking of Hellebuyck, Comrie has been keeping a close eye on his goalie partner as he’s gotten into a groove during the Olympics for Team USA, sporting a 1.00 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.

“He’s the best goalie in the world, if not the best player in the world and he’s playing his game,” said Comrie. “He looked fantastic against Sweden again (Wednesday). Every single game he’s played, he just looks so sharp. I mean he just makes it look so easy. It’s just fun to watch him play.”

Comrie, 30, essentially finds himself in a can’t lose situation if the dream matchup of Canada versus the United States transpires.

“Well, I mean, I’ve got to cheer for Canada. And I’ve got to cheer for my guys on the U.S. too, because I’ve got KC (Kyle Connor) and (Hellebuyck) on the team,” said Comrie.

“I’ve got to cheer for Canada because I’m from Canada. My wife is from the U.S., and I’ve got one kid from the U.S., one kid from Canada. So, we’ve got kind of a split in the house, so we’ll see how it goes. I can’t lose, so we’re excited to watch. I’m really excited to watch the games. I mean, I can’t wait to see just great hockey.”

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