Princeton University Athletics
Condon Makes NHL Debut with a WIn
Canadiens Press Release l Guest TigerBlog
Princeton alum Mike Condon '13 made his NHL debut on Sunday night for the Montreal Canadiens and earned the win. Back-up to Carey Price, Condon made 20 saves and earned many one of three stars of the game by many media outlets, including the NHL Network.
Condon faced off against Matt O'Connor (Boston University) who was making his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators. It was the first time two starting goaltenders made their NHL debuts in the same game since Oct. 14, 1967 when Wayne Rutledge of the Los Angeles Kings faced Doug Favell of the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
His best save of the night came early in the second period when he denied Jean-Gabriel Pageau when he layed out and made a glove save at the right post to keep his team ahead 2-0 (watch here). Condon finished the game with five saves in the final 1:58 as Ottawa had a 6x4. After losing his stick after a scramble for a puck off the pipe, PK Subban loaned Condon his and skated around the goal to recover Condon's. Just as he was handed his stick, he went cross crease to make a huge stop on Mike Hoffman.
Condon's play in goal helped Montreal stay undefeated at 3-0.“It was exciting. I thought the guys played an awesome game," Condon said after the game. "I think we only had 12 shots against going into the third period, and only maybe five or six scoring chances against [by that time]. My workload was very light,” offered Condon, who conceded the lone Senators’ goal – a short-handed marker – to forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau during the second frame on Sunday night. “I had a lot of energy going into the game. After that first shot comes in, though, all the interior monologue just quiets down and your training takes over. After the first shot, I was having some fun.”