With the Group Stages finished, the Round of 16 done and dusted and the Quarter-Finals complete, we've enjoyed watching a diverse array of talent in the Champions Hockey League. The impending challenge of the Semi-Finals is now presented to four contenders who have battled their way through the competition, fighting tooth and nail to get one step closer to hoisting the coveted European Trophy.
None of these teams would be where they are without their men in the crease, the last line of defence, the ones who steal games, robbing both forwards and defencemen, and keeping fans on the edge of their seats. These men are the beacons of consistency, exuding poise and focus in a game of chaos and chance.
Here's our pick of the ultimate three netminders of the Quarter-Finals:
Matija Pintarič – Rouen Dragons
94.63 % Save Average │ 388 saves │ 22 goals against
Slovenian netminder Matija Pintarič of the Rouen Dragons rounded out the Quarter-Finals with a stately 388 saves in 10 games, recording a shutout and four wins and five losses. While it's sadly the end of the road for his team, the 32-year-old can be proud of a brilliant Group Stage run where he was vital in helping the French side to secure the second-ranked place in Group G and making the Team of the Group Stage.
Despite a 3-3 tie in their first leg of the Quarter-Finals, Tappara Tampere toppled the French contenders with a stunning 4-0 win to take the Return Game and progress into the Semi-Finals where they will now face Red Bull Munich.
Pintarič ends his 2021/22 CHL season with a 94.63% Save Average, allowing just 2.21 into the back of his net per game.
Matthew Tomkins – Frölunda Gothenburg
92.57% Save Average │ 187 saves │ 15 goals against
Hailing from Edmonton Canada, Matthew Tomkins is a new face in the CHL, but in his first season with Frölunda Gothenburg he's already made an impression. The towering 6'3" netminder kicked off his first game with a 4-2 win over Swiss team ZSC Lions Zurich. The collective efforts from Tomkins and teammate Niklas Rubin culminated in Frölunda topping Group B.
More recently, Tomkins has been the go-to man to start both Quarter-Final games against Swedish side Leksands IF, and while their last game was a tied 3-3 affair, their First Game win (combined with the Return Game on aggregate) was enough for the team from Gothenburg to qualify for their sixth Semi-Finals appearance!
With a 92.57% Save Average, Tomkins is one of the stingiest netminders in the league allowing just 2.15 goals per game. Will Tomkins be able to stave off the offensive attacks from another familiar SHL team? We'll Find out when Frölunda go head to head against compatriots and rival side Rögle Ängelholm at the beginning of January!
Danny aus den Birken – Red Bull Munich
91.96% Save Average │ 206 saves │ 18 goals against
With 206 saves to his name and a 91.96% Save Average, Red Bull Munich's Danny aus den Birken has faced the second-highest number of shots, after Pintarič. The Group Stage saw aus den Birken and Munich pushed, but it was just two teams that they faltered to, Rögle Ängelholm and ZSC Lions Zurich, enabling them to secure second ranked spot in Group D.
The 36-year-old netminder, who is in his seventh season with the German side, has also been the star backstop, getting both two starts during both the Round of 16 (against Fribourg-Gottéron) and the Quarter-Finals (against Lukko Rauma). It was a thrilling two games for fans, with the First Game resulting in a 2-2 tie, and the second going into OT to decide which team would move on to the Semi-Finals. It was the team from Munich who clinched the win 2:25 minutes into extra time.
Aus den Birken's Goals Against Average (GAA) is a very respectable 1.99 which should be a headache for any team trying to find an open net, including Tappara Tampere, who are teeming with excitement off the back of a convincing 4-0 win, and their first Semi-Finals appearance in seven CHL seasons.