LaBarbera Big Between the Pipes

By Kelly Sharp

    Jason LaBarbera has big season in AHL

      Photo courtesy of Manchester Monarchs

Prince George minor hockey product Jason LaBarbera made the most of the new reality in pro hockey. Despite the goaltending woes of the Los Angeles Kings, the 27 year-old goaltender with the Kings top affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, knew he would not be recalled to the National Hockey League. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Laberbera, because of his salary scale, had to clear NHL waivers to return to the Kings net. That was not going to happen with the 6-3 goalie posting an all-star AHL season.

Anchored by the 62 game regular season performance of Jason LaBarbera, the Manchester Monarchs allowed the fewest goals in the 27-team American Hockey League. He recorded a goals against average of 2.21 with 7 shutouts and .933 save %.

The former Western Hockey Leaguer shook off a late regular season injury to carry the Monarchs goaltending load in the playoffs. LaBarbera came through with 44 and 45 save double overtime victories in backstopping Manchester to a first-ever opening round play-off series victory, eliminating the Worcester Sharks in 6 games. After allowing 5 goals in an opening game loss in the AHL Eastern Conference semi-final, he rebounded to record three consecutive victories in net as Manchester put away the Providence Bruins 4 games-to- 2. The play-off run ended for LaBarbera and his Monarch teammates against the older and more experienced Hershey Bears. Manchester fell in 4 straight games to the defending AHL playoff champions. Hershey has rolled through the post season at  12-2. Monarchs head coach Mark Morris praised Jason LaBarbera for helping lead the young Manchester roster. Adding he expects the former 2-time outstanding AHL goalie to be playing in the NHL next season.

A note about the AHL championship, the Hamilton Bulldogs rode the hot goaltending of Carey Price of Williams Lake into the best-of-seven series against favoured Hershey. Price is 11-5 in the AHL playoffs since being assigned by the Montreal Canadiens to Hamilton after ending his junior career with the Don Nachbaur coached Tri-City Americans. On the subject of the WHL, Kevin Constantine has left the Everett Silvertips to become head coach of  the Houston Aeros in the American Hockey League.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us