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Ketlo makes the most of first WHL start |
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Written by Citizen Staff
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Monday, 06 October 2008 |
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PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGSCARIBOO COUGARSRED DEER REBELSREGINA PATSSASKATOON BLADESRED DEER
Regina Leader-Post
REGINA -- Rookie Damien Ketlo had been the forgotten man in a rather complex goalie equation for the Regina Pats, but it might be time to review the numbers.
Ketlo enjoyed a memorable debut on Sunday night, stopping 28 of 29 shots -- plus all three in the shootout -- to secure a 2-1 win over the visiting Red Deer Rebels. It was the first career WHL start for Ketlo, a Fraser Lake product who hadn’t played since Regina’s preseason finale on Sept. 13 when he stopped 28 shots in a 4-3 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
Ketlo, who suited up for the major midget Cariboo Cougars for one season, was informed the night before Sunday’s game that he would get the start against Red Deer, news that incited a combination of nerves and excitement.
“I felt sick to my stomach before I went to bed,” offered Ketlo, 17. “But when I woke up in the morning, I felt fine. I tried not to think about the game. I didn’t want to psyche myself out. Once I got to the rink I started thinking about the game, just being loose, staying calm. When I got in the game the nerves kicked in a bit until I got that first shot. I just went from there.”
Although he wasn’t especially busy, Ketlo made a handful of key stops in regulation time, showing poise and aggressiveness while consistently challenging the shooters. The agile netminder was equally aggressive in the shootout session, turning aside all three attempts.
“I was feeling very confident,” he said. “I love shootouts. I love the rush. I don’t think I’ve ever lost a shootout, knock on wood. I’ve got a good streak going.”
After the game, Ketlo was awarded the coveted army helmet, emblematic of the team’s hardest-working player. He even donned the hat for post-game interviews, wearing a huge grin as his teammates chuckled in the background.
“It feels great,” he said of the lid. “It still has to sink in for a bit that I just played a game in this league.”
Ketlo’s performance adds yet another intriguing element to a lingering question between the pipes. The Pats are expected to trade at least one of their three goalies in order to clear up a logjam that’s centered around veterans Linden Rowat and Jeff Bosch, both of whom could start for the club. Regina also has top prospect Derek Tendler ready to step in at any time if necessary.
It’s not clear if Ketlo’s emergence has made the decision tougher or easier, but either way GM Brent Parker isn’t complaining.
“We knew he was capable of that,” Parker said after Sunday’s game. “We like our goaltending. We like all our guys. They’ve worked extremely hard, they’ve competed extremely hard and it was (Ketlo’s) time to get a start. He played very well. Even if he had a rough night I don’t think it would have changed anything in our minds. We know he’s a good goaltender. I was really happy for him.”
That said, a serious dilemma remains. Parker admits he doesn’t recall having such an embarrassment of riches between the pipes.
“The fact that they’re all really good people is probably the hardest part when you weigh this out,” he added. “But we’re going to have to make a decision and do something at some point in time. It’s a tough decision.”
Ketlo doesn’t know what his future holds, but he insists the situation hasn’t created tension between himself and his competitors.
“Both Boschy and Rosie are great guys,” said Ketlo, a starter with the junior A Prince George Spruce Kings last season. “I’m going to stay here and learn whatever I can from them. Whatever Brent decides. I just try not to think about it too much and do my own thing.”
It worked pretty well on Sunday.
“I wasn’t feeling the pressure too much,” he added. “When it got down to the last minute of the third period and the last minute of OT I was talking to myself a lot, told myself to bear down no matter what happens.
“It feels great to have a solid game. Obviously I want to make the team. I’ve wanted to play in this league since I was a little kid. I hope everything works out like I want it to.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 October 2008 )
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