Senators Call Up Mads Sogaard to Backup Against Islanders
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will miss his second straight game on Friday night as the Ottawa Senators host the New York Islanders (7:30pm, RDS, TSN5). Korpisalo's undisclosed injury is described as day-to-day, but the Senators aren't sure if he'll be ready to dress Monday against Florida or not.
So the Senators have called up Mads Sogaard from Belleville to wear the ball cap and back up the starter, Anton Forsberg.
Sogaard started 17 games in Ottawa last season and was one of seven goalies to start for the club last season. He's been fantastic in Belleville so far, appearing in eight games, posting a 2.35 goals-against average and a sparkling .923 save percentage. For now, his NHL claim to fame is being the tallest goalie in the league at 6-foot-7.
If Forsberg isn't on his game tonight, head coach D.J. Smith probably wouldn't hesitate to use Sogaard Monday night if he needs to. While the Great Dane has shone in Belleville, Forsberg has not had a great start in Ottawa this season. His goals-against average is 3.21 with an .860 save percentage. But he is coming off a very impressive performance last Saturday in a 2-1 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild.
The Senators had hoped to see fewer injuries this season, particularly at the goaltending position, where Forsberg and Cam Talbot both missed extended periods last season. Korpisalo has never played more than 37 games in an NHL season and the club is just 15 games into his five-year contract.