In a head-scratching move, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled goaltender Michael Garteig from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL for tonight’s game against the Arizona Coyotes. No word has come down on why the move was made, but Ben Kuzma of The Province suggests that a flu virus has been going around the room, and perhaps it’s struck one of the regular netminders.
Garteig was signed out of Quinnipac University this April, where he had starred for four years. Holding a 78-25-16 record, the goaltender helped his school lead the ECAC the last two years and win the championship in 2016. Off to a good start in Alaska, he’s 5-1 with a .916 save percentage.
Kuzma adds that Ryan Miller wasn’t at today’s optional skate and although that doesn’t confirm he’s the one who is ill, good money would be on Jacob Markstrom making the start tonight. The Canucks are 6-10-1 this season, but are still ahead of the Coyotes in the Pacific Division.