Alex Stalock has been a perennial backup goaltender for much of his career and made an interesting play against the Nashville Predators tonight. Nashville forward Rasmus Asplund was breaking down the left side toward Stalock when the goalie decided to throw his stick toward the player and hit the puck.
It caused Asplund to fall, and the referees awarded Nashville a penalty shot. Whenever a player throws a stick intentionally toward another player or the puck, a minor penalty is awarded. However, it appears it's the referee's discretion whether a penalty shot is given.
Stalock has now faced three penalty shots in three straight games and stopped them all. Matt Duchene, Dylan Larkin, and David Pastrnak were the players he faced.
The 35-year-old netminder is in his first season with the Blackhawks and has played 19 games, with a record of 9-8-1, goals against average of 2.70 and a save percentage of .922
