The Avalanche recalled goaltender Isak Posch from AHL Colorado on Saturday night, per the AHL’s transactions log. He will once again serve as the Avs’ emergency backup as they kick off their second-round series against the Wild tonight after doing so for their first-round sweep of the Kings.
Colorado initially recalled Posch at the beginning of the postseason. However, with such a lengthy break in between rounds, thanks to their sweep of L.A., Colorado had returned Posch to the minors last Monday so that he would be an option for the Eagles if needed. He didn’t see any action as usual third-stringer Trent Miner is the Eagles’ clear-cut starter in the Calder Cup Playoffs, in which they’re currently up 1-0 over Henderson in the best-of-five Pacific Division Semifinals after sweeping San Diego in a best-of-three first round.
In the playoffs, unlike in the regular season, NHL teams must dress one of their contracted netminders as their emergency backup if both their dressed starter and backup are forced out of the game. This is to prevent the arena-designated EBUG, much like regular-season “off-the-street” cult heroes David Ayres and Scott Foster, from ever seeing action in a high-stakes postseason environment.
Oftentimes, this will mean a team’s fourth- or fifth-string netminder will be in the press box if their AHL affiliate is still active in the postseason. That way, a high-impact AHL starter isn’t rendered “useless” while their club fights for their playoff lives.
Posch, 24, is Colorado’s #4 behind Scott Wedgewood, Mackenzie Blackwood and Miner. An undrafted free agent signing out of St. Cloud State, the first-year pro logged a .891 SV%, 2.78 GAA, two shutouts, and a strong 15-8-7 record in 28 appearances behind Miner this season. The 6’3″, 209-pounder has another year left on his entry-level contract at a $872,500 cap hit before becoming a restricted free agent next year.