AHL Morning Skate: June 4, 2024 | TheAHL.com

Chris DriedgerHis career has had many ups and downs, and his performance this postseason could lead to a significant milestone if he and the Firebirds can earn six more awards.
Coming off an injury-shortened 2022-23 season, Driedger, who backed up Joey Daccord on last year’s postseason trip to the Coachella Valley, has been the backbone of the Firebirds’ lineup since opening night. He went 24-7-7 with four shutouts in the regular season, posting a .917 save percentage and ranked fourth in the league with a 2.26 goals-against average.
In nine playoff games, his numbers are even more impressive: an 8-1 record, a 2.09 GAA and a .933 save percentage, allowing just 19 goals on 285 shots.
“He’s an NHL goaltender,” the Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma he told reporters after Driedger’s 31-save performance in Game 2 against Milwaukee on Friday night. “He’s proven it time and time again and he’s been doing it for us all year.
“He is playing in a very special way right now. It is a great comfort to have him in the net, he goes into every game knowing that he will get high quality goals.”
The Columbus Blue Jackets offered the 19-year-old defenseman Denton Mateychuk to the Beasts.
Mateychuk’s junior season with Moose Jaw (WHL) ended Saturday with a loss in the semifinals of the Memorial Cup. He was named to the all-star team of the tournament and was selected as the player of the tournament. Mateychuk was also named the Western Hockey League’s top defenseman for 2023-24.
The native of Dominion City, Man., was the twelfth pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He tallied 75 points in 52 regular season games and 30 points in 20 regular season contests for Moose Jaw this year.
― with files from Patrick Williams
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