Marc Andre Fleury after Game 2 blowout: ‘Wish I could’ve stepped up’
The Minnesota Wild had a disappointing performance in game two of the Western Conference first round. After a Game 1 victory, the Wild gave goaltender Marc Andre Fleury the nod in the net. Unfortunately for the Wild, Fleury came up short in the game and the goaltender made comments on his performance.
“Embarrassing on my part, giving up seven goals like that in the playoffs,” Fleury said, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo.
“I want to come in and give a chance to my team to stay in the game and win. That’s not what I did. I gave up too many goals. I think we had to open up to try to come back in the game, and we gave up more chances, but bottom line, I didn’t make any good, key saves in the game.”
(All quotes via theScore.)
Fleury stopped only 24 out of the 31 shots-on-goal he saw in the 7-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night.
The Wild turned their heads to their veteran goaltender even after a victory from fellow goaltender Filip Gustavsson in game one. Gustavsson stood on his head for Minnesota in that game, stopping 51 out of 53 shots he faced. Gustavsson would end up with a .962 save percentage in the Wild’s double-overtime win.
In his mind, Andre Fleury seemed shot at the disappointing loss and solo performance.
“Wish I could’ve stepped up, give him a break and give him a win to keep going,” he said.
Fleury continued to show his appreciation to Gustavsson for his victory.
“He was tremendous, awesome that last game. I just wanted to do my part and my job tonight … and I didn’t. That pissed me off.”
The Wild are back at home ice for game three on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. ET against the Stars. Starting goaltenders are yet to be announced.
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