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During Jimmy Howard’s career at the University of Maine, the netminder compiled a 47-23-10 record and ranked first in school history with a 1.84 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. In the 2003-2004 season, his second at UMaine, Howard had an All-American season, setting NCAA records in goals against average (1.19) and save percentage (.956).
After leaving school early for the professional ranks after his junior season, the second round draft choice of the Detroit Red Wings spent a majority of his first four seasons in the AHL. This season, though, the former Black Bears star took over for Hall of Fame goalie Chris Osgood and has never relinquished his starting spot in net for the Red Wings.
On Tuesday night, Howard, who compiled 15 shutouts in his UMaine career, slammed the door on the Phoenix Coyotes, stopping all 29 shots in a 3-0 shutout. The win tied up the Red Wings/Coyotes first round series.
Howard was stellar in net this season for the Red Wings, who have been in the last two Stanley Cup Finals. For much of the season, Detroit was on the outside of the playoff picture due to numerous injuries to star players. In the second half of the season, though, the Red Wings got healthy and were the hottest team in the NHL, jumping up to the five seed in the Western Conference.
Howard has been deemed by many, including Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, as the team’s MVP. He has been a rock in net for Detroit, compiling a 37-15-10 record this season. His 37 wins rank eighth in the league. His save percentage (.924 – fourth) and goals against average (2.26 – fifth) rank among the top goaltenders in the league.
While the series is far from over and now turns into a best-of-three series heading back to Phoenix, Howard’s game four performance just shows what the former UMaine star has been doing all season.
Bangor Daily News