ROCKFORD – The IceHogs have controlled the first two games of their playoff series against the Chicago Wolves. It has been a team effort so far for sure, but a hockey team is only as good as its goaltender and so far rookie Collin Delia has been very good.
This 23 year old native Californian has been California cool so far in his first two Calder Cup playoff starts. In game one Saturday night on the road he limited the Wolves to one goal. In game two Sunday at home only two pucks got by him. Those performances validated the coaching staff’s decision to go with the youngster over 32 year old veteran Jeff Glass.
“He’ been solid for us,” says IceHogs’ coach Jeremy Colliton. “He just continued where he left off in the regular season. He had an excellent second half. We know what we’re going to get from him every night which feels pretty good.”
To go along with his 2-0 playoff mark Delia has 59 saves. He has allowed the three goals and he has a .952 save percentage. He has also snuffed out multiple breakaway opportunities by the Wolves, but Delia says it’s all about the job his teammates are doing on defense.
“They (the Wolves) have guys that can shoot the puck, but I think when we have back pressure we kind of limit their chances,” says Delia. “They like to move the puck a lot up top when they’re entering, so I think when we have that back pressure it really eliminates that chance.”
The biggest defensive stand Sunday was in the second period when Delia and the IceHogs killed off a Wolves’ 5-on-3 power play.
“That was huge,” says Delia. “The guys played it perfectly!”
It’s been a whirlwind season for Delia. He began it with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel. Then he joined the IceHogs. He even made his NHL debut in a brief stint with the Blackhawks making two starts and getting a win. Now this. Could he have envisioned all of this happening so quickly?
“I don’t know. I tend not to look too far ahead or expect anything, but it does seem pretty far-fetched where I began. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be here and be playing right now.”
Game three between the IceHogs and the Wolves will be played Thursday night in Rosemont.
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