After pulling Connor Ingram in the Coyotes 6-3 loss to the Kings, André Tourigny did not place any blame on the 26-year-old goaltender.
Through the start of the season, the Arizona Coyotes have split starts between Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram.
However, on Tuesday night, Ingram gave up three goals on just nine shots and was pulled in favor of Vejmelka midway through the first period.
This leads to the question, what coach André Tourigny will do when it comes to his current goaltending strategy? Vejmaleka was the primary starter last season so it’s possible he goes back to that role.
Tourigny ultimately did not place any of the blame on Ingram postgame and seems like he will not just give up on the 26-year-old goaltender.
“It’s not on Connor at all,” Tourigny said. “He’s been rock solid. Our goaltending has been elite since the start of the season. The last thing I want is to think they let us down by any stretch, that’s more the other way around.”
Some may see pulling Ingram as a demotion but Tourigny described it as an attempt to change momentum with the Coyotes down 3-1 early in the game.
It would be foolish to back away from a strategy that has been working through the start of the season just because of one bad period.
While Vejmelka may be the more established goaltender, Ingram has proven to be valuable as well so Tourigny made the right decision praising Ingram postgame, keeping his confidence up after a rough performance.
Expect Vejmalka to start on Friday against the Kings but Ingram should still see time in the net going forward.