Griffins goalie goes practically 4 years and 4 international locations since final AHL level

GRAND RAPIDS – Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Kevin Poulin waited practically 4 years and 1000’s of miles since his final level within the AHL.The journeyman, who travels embrace enjoying in Kazakhstan, Austria, Switzerland and Germany together with the 2018 Winter Olympics, turned in a strong efficiency Wednesday because the Griffins misplaced in a shootout to Rockford, 2-1.The protection did its half in regulation, permitting solely 21 pictures earlier than Rockford had 5 in time beyond regulation. The Griffins (17-19-2-Three) had a three-game win streak snapped however ran their level streak to 4 video games, tying a season excessive.Joe Veleno had the lone Griffins aim, at 7:46 of the third. The IceHogs 18-18-2-1) answered slightly below 5 minutes afterward an odd-angle shot outdoors the left circle by Chad Krys after which survived a Griffins energy play in time beyond regulation, They scored on two of three probabilities within the shootout.MORE: Recreation summaryThe 29-year-old Poulin had been unsigned and recovering from Achilles surgical procedure simply over 5 and a half months in the past earlier than he was signed to a professional tryout with the Griffins on Christmas day. He began Jan. Four in a Four-Zero loss at Texas and has been serving as backup for Calvin Pickard, the reigning AHL Participant of the Week. When Pickard was recalled to Detroit on Sunday, that left Poulin or Pat Nagle (recalled from the ECHL) to begin towards Rockford.”Poulin did an amazing job; gave us an opportunity to win the sport,” stated Simon, who was upset with the Griffins lack of ability to execute the ability play alternative in time beyond regulation.”He has an amazing resume and has been working his tail off up right here the previous couple weeks and Pat Nagle hasn’t performed that a lot and took a while off for his first baby so we went with Poulin,” he added.Poulin’s previous contains 50 video games with the New York Islanders between 2010-15 and a bronze medal with Canada on the 2018 Winter Olympics. He went via waivers and a commerce earlier than he appeared in 29 video games with Stockton in 2015-16, going 14-11-Four with a 2,86 Aim In opposition to Common and .909 save share.From there, escape the map. He performed within the KHL with Astana Barys in Kazakhstan in 2016-17, then the next yr performed with Zagreb Medvescak in Croatia and two video games with Kloten HC in Switzerland earlier than spending final season with Eisbaren Berlin in Germany. In 43 video games, he had a 2.80 GAA and .915 save share.”I needed one thing extra steady and that is why I went to the KHL,” he stated, although the travels went past that.”Each place I used to be at had been nice experiences to journey a bit of,” he stated, including there have been no good alternatives to return to the AHL.Or, till Christmas.Poulin stated he was simply cleared from rehab from the harm when the Griffins known as.”I used to be like, ‘Yeah, let’s go’ and I hopped on a aircraft,” stated the Montreal native.As for the sport, Poulin would have appreciated to get the win however he was happy with the way it went.”I am disillusioned we did not get the 2 factors, however my recreation, I assumed I performed robust – a bit of fluke aim,” he stated. “That is a part of the sport.”Pickard is predicted to be again from Detroit as some level, leaving the group a choice there’s Poulin, Nagle together with inured younger prospect Filip Larsson.”I am right here and I am simply going to get pleasure from daily,” Poulin stated. “It is simply good to be again on the ice and be round a hockey membership once more.”The Griffins will host Rockford towards Friday.MORE: Griffins coach fumes over missed OT alternative