In the three years prior to this season, Ilya has played in 165 games in a Mighty Ducks uniform. Only two of them were in an Anaheim jersey. The rest of his time has been in the net for AHL Cincinnati.
There really isnt anything lacking in Bryzgalov’s game. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is the main man between the pipes in Anaheim. So he waits in the Ducks' wings.
That can break the spirit of some players, or make them play some really great hockey. Bryzgalov falls into the latter category.
Last year, Ilya had arguably the best goaltending season in Cincinnati professional hockey history, breaking franchise records and leading the AHL for most games (64) and minutes played (3,748).
In net for all but two of the Ducks’ 29 victories on the season, Bryzgalov also set club records for wins (27), goals-against average (2.32), saves (1,644) and shutouts (6).
He also earned first NHL win, posting 26 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over Phoenix, during a brief promotion to Anaheim last March.
This season, Bryzgalov is again playing well and perfecting his craft. He has nothing really left to prove in the AHL.
Ilya has played well since returning to the Ducks after competing in the Rosno Cup, a European tournament held in his native Russia last month.
On January 19, he stopped 20 shots against the Cleveland Barons to improve to 5-0-0 in his last six starts.
A true casualty of the NHL lockout, Bryzgalov may be backing up Giguere in Anaheim when play resumes, or find himself a prime candidate for a new net should one of the holdout goalies not report when the NHL reopens.
