The much-heralded return of Maxime Gingras ended yesterday when the Richmond Renegades sent the goaltender who led them to the Kelly Cup finals two years ago to the Mobile Mysticks for "future considerations."
To replace Gingras, whose 3.24 goals-against average belied a terrible start in which he allowed four goals in seven of his first eight games, the Renegades signed another familiar face, Sean Matile. A free agent, Matile was released recently after playing three games (1-2, 2.20) for AHL Providence.
"I know it's a roll of the dice" said Richmond coach Mark Kaufman, "but Max hadn't established himself as No. 1 here. This was a chance for us to get an all-star [1999-2000] goalie, who I think is better suited for this team."
In 30 games for the Renegades last year, Matile was 18-10-1, with a 2.63 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, before being called up by the AHL Saint John Flames (6-3-3, 2.96) for the balance of the season. Kaufman likes Matile's size (6-4, 205) and ability to move the puck quickly, something the smaller Gingras (5-6, 160) did not do.
In the East Coast Hockey League, this was considered one of those rare blockbuster deals. Gingras was the ECHL's rookie and goaltender of the year in 1998-99. After bouncing around on the next level a season ago, playing little, his signing for this year made the Renegades an instant choice to make a run at the Kelly Cup.
But, from the outset, it was apparent this wasn't the same Max. He was giving up soft goals and, although he didn't use last year's inactivity as an excuse, it wasn't until recently that he began to show signs of coming around. Having basically shared the position with rookie Rastislav Stana, Gingras played his best hockey while Stana was away on call-up to AHL Portland.
Gingras got the news yesterday morning, before the team boarded the bus for last night's game in Trenton, N.J. "I don't think he saw it coming," Kaufman said. "This gives him a chance to be number one [goalie] and play all the time."
Mobile is 19-17-3 (41 points), tied for second in the Southwest Division, seven points behind leading Louisiana, going into last night's games. Mysticks' goalies have been Chris Wickenheiser (13-12-2, 3.15) and Dave Haimson (6-5-1, 3:19).
(C) Richmond Times Dispatch