Bernier looking for a strong finish
After poor start to season, goalie has found his footing in March with improved stats
Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier should be smiling about the month of March, the best month he’s had this trying season. But he won’t.
There’s been too much inconsistency, and not enough overall success, to warrant anything other than solemn reflection and sobering selfassessment.
“It’s been really up and down this year, but to me, there’s always a drive, you always have things to compete for,” said Bernier, who will start Saturday against Boston at the ACC.
“One of those things for me is to show my teammates I can be like I was when I was performing well. I want that confidence, everyone’s confidence, back.”
The start against a struggling Bruins team — losers of their last five — might be considered another opportune moment to continue his solid play in March and finish out the season with a strong performance.
The Bruins, though, are fighting for their playoffs lives, and there’s always something inherently dangerous about a team backed into a corner.
Bernier understands the urgency of this time of the season, but his focus is on his own game.
March has been a kinder, gentler month in a season where he started slowly, lost his No. 1status to the now traded James Reimer, got hurt, got sent down to the Marlies.
But Bernier, who has excellent technique, is showing the kind of fight the Bruins must find.
So far in March, Bernier is 3-3 in six starts, with a third of the 10 wins he’s posted overall on the season (10-190-3). His save percentage (. 905) and goals against average (2.89) are trending in the right direction for the first time this season, but still not in the range of what is expected of a top-shelf goalie.
Bernier ranks 41st and 42nd respectively in save percentage and goals against, and at times this season those figures were near or at the bottom of all starting goalies with qualified numbers in starts (more than 30).
But after some very trying times — including one point earlier in the season when coach Mike Babcock clearly lost confidence in him — Bernier has gradually rebuilt some trust. His .944 save percentage in March is a clear indication of that, especially when compared to the .880 mark he posted for February.
Nothing will erase the struggles and the resulting loss of status; but for now, March is like a welcome respite.
“I really don’t know . . . like a lot of people, I heard this rumour that I’d be gone at the trade deadline, but now I’m here,” Bernier said.
“I want to be part of this team for a long time. I can see how this team has changed since the all-star break. They play with a purpose, they are way harder on pucks, they check hard all over the ice. The overall mentality has changed and it makes you confident as a goalie.
“I’d say about myself that the stats show I stated slow, and yes, I take full blame for a lot of the stuff that happened, I didn’t make the saves when I was supposed to make them, and when I got hurt and came back, I was off my game.”
Bernier relishes the opportunity to play as many of the Leafs’ nine remaining games as he can. But he’s not afforded himself that luxury; the Leafs are building for the future, and part of that includes a long look at Garret Sparks, who has shown definite promise since being recalled from the Marlies.
Bernier, regardless of the need to audition players for the rebuild, remains poised to regain control of his former No. status. He has a year remaining on his two-year deal, and will earn $4.15 million (U.S.) next season before becoming eligible for un- restricted free agency in 2016-17.
It’s likely he’s back with the No. 1 status in training camp next fall. Toronto may go with Sparks as the backup, or may sign a veteran to handle those chores. For Bernier, the lesson of this season — to stick with the process through tough times — is something he strongly believes in.
“Obviously, to come out of this (with a strong finish) it would be a big relief to myself,” Bernier said.
“I think it’s been tough, but at the same time, I stuck to the process. All you can do is work harder all the time, and if you do, things can switch around and turn around.
“Definitely, this happens to a lot of goalies. One goalie I admire is Carey Price, and they were going to trade him at one point and play (Jaroslav) Halak. Now he’s strong, one of the best, and what he went through, sometimes it’s like you have to hit rock bottom, and when you do you come out a better goalie.”
“It’s been really up and down this year, but to me, there’s always a drive, you always have things to compete for.” JONATHAN BERNIER LEAFS GOALIE