Aebischer makes successful NHL debut
The goalkeeper, David Aebischer, has had a successful start in the world's most important ice-hockey league, the NHL, helping his Colorado Avalanche team to a 5-1 away win over Columbus.
The 22-year-old on Wednesday became only the fourth Swiss to compete in the NHL, and the first-ever Swiss goalkeeper to play an entire game.
Aebischer’s NHL debut got off to a bad start when he conceded a goal on the first shot, after only 186 seconds.
But the former player for the Swiss side, Fribourg, did not let that influence his performance. He went on to save all other 20 shots at goal during the game.
Aebischer’s performance helped Colorado to its fifth win in seven games played so far, the team’s best start to the season for 15 years.
Aebischer was standing in for Colorado’s first choice goalie, Patrick Roy, who is being rested. Roy’s performance in the last game secured him a place in the record books as the NHL goalkeeper who has had the most victories.
Of the other two Swiss players in the NHL this season, only Reto von Arx was in action. However, the Swiss international had less luck, his Chicago Blackhawks losing at home to the New York Rangers 2-4.
Arx played for only nine minutes and failed to make a single shot on goal.
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