ANAHEIM, California - Golatender Ilya Bryzgalov showed
what he is capable of in the playoffs and got a new deal because
of it.
The Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday re-signed Bryzgalov to a two-year
contract. Financial terms were not released.
Bryzgalov, 26, led the NHL in goals-against average (1.46), save
percentage (.944) and shutouts (3) during the Stanley Cup
playoffs to help the Ducks reach the Western Conference finals
against the Edmonton Oilers. He was the first rookie to post
consecutive shutouts in the postseason since 1945.
Beating out Jean-Sebastien Giguere to become the starter,
Bryzgalov went 13-12-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .910 save percentage
in 31 games during the season. A native of Russia, he ranked
second among league rookies in GAA and fourth in save
percentage.
A 2000 second-round pick of Anaheim, Bryzgalov is 14-12-0 with a
2.48 GAA in 33 career NHL games.