Avalanche goalie Vitaly Kolesnik is scheduled to make his NHL debut tonight against the Boston Bruins at the Pepsi Center.
Kolesnik, 26, was called up from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate Tuesday to become Colorado’s third goalie. David Aebischer will back up Kolesnik and Peter Budaj will not dress for the first time this season.
“Vitaly has earned the opportunity based on how well he’s played. We like what we saw in training camp,” Avs coach Joel Quenneville said.
Kolesnik was 10-8 with the Lowell (Mass.) Lock Monsters. He had a 2.80 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.
Quenneville said several other factors played into his decision to use a roster spot for a third goalie.
“We want to get a good assessment of our assets in the first part of the season,” he said. “We expect our goaltending to be better here, a little more consistent, and it will probably be healthy internally having some competition.”
He added that having three goalies is a short-term plan, and intends to give each a start over the club’s next four games in a six-day span.
“This is a business and we have some tough decisions to make,” Quenneville said. “It’s up to them to fight back and do what they have to do, and play well.”
Aebischer is 11-6 with a 3.37 goals-against average and save percentage of .890.
“I didn’t play as well as I can at the start of the season, especially, but I thought I rebounded pretty good,” said Aebischer, who seemed upset by the move. “But I guess I’m the only one thinking this.”
Budaj has a 3-4-3 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. He seemed to take the news in stride.
“With three goalies, and just two dressing up, it’s tough,” Budaj said. “There are going to be ups and downs in our careers and our season. This is something I got to work through, and I will do it.”
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com
