In The Spotlight: Mike Santorelli

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This article was published 10/04/2013 (4872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

First period

On his second shift, Santorelli and linemates gained possession in the offensive zone and he sent a hard wrister at the Buffalo net from near the right-wing corner. The shot appeared to be stopped by Sabres goalie Ryan Miller’s shoulder but Santorelli didn’t get credit for a shot. Later in the period, Santorelli and his line had trouble getting the puck out of their own zone. Santorelli had one faceoff in the period, a defensive-zone win.

Second period

Four shifts in the second after five in the first, Santorelli continued with linemates Alexander Burmistrov and Eric Tangradi, though there was a bit of shuffling in the middle of the period and Evander Kane appeared instead of Tangradi for one shift.

Third period

Almost 14 minutes into the period with a quick burst up the right wing, Santorelli fired a great feed to the crease and Miller had to make an excellent save on the Tangradi tip. Just moments later, Santorelli found himself with a path to the net on the right side after a Burmistrov feed and Miller had to make a fine shoulder save.

WHAT WE LIKED:

It’s clear the Vancouver native’s speed, though not blazing, makes him a flexible player for the Jets lineup in that he can fit with a number of linemates. This combination with Burmistrov and Tangradi is in sync and Santorelli showed he knows what to do in different game situations, despite being with a new team.

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WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

Every coach and fan would plead for a little more finish, given there were a few opportunities around the net. There was a time or two during the game when Buffalo’s forecheck got the best of him.

SYNOPSIS:

Jets coach Claude Noel said on Tuesday that he’ll take a team and players with speed any time. Santorelli can fit with that kind of approach. It also doesn’t hurt if you’re going to be 5-2 in the faceoff circle like Santorelli was. In the end, it’s only three games but this move by the Jets to claim Santorelli on waivers has been helpful.

— Tim Campbell