The New England BlackWolves have signed Kevin Croswell to be the backup to starting goaltender Evan Kirk. The question here is can he be the answer. Before the team moved from Philadelphia they have never really had a good backup. They always relied on a top number one goalie. Dallas Eliuk was the man between the pipes and fr some time had Andy “Pizza” Piazza.
There have been other backups, some where able to stop the bleeding at times, and some that just seemed to fill a roster spot. In 2010 the Wings drafted Brodie MacDonald in the second round, 19th overall and it seemed the backup problems were solved. But that was not the case. Brodie wanted to stay out west, and on March 17, 2011 the Wings placed him on the Hold Out List, and in August was part of the huge trade that gave the Wings Brodie Merrill.
Last season it was believed that backup problems were solved as the Wings traded a 2015 & 2017 first round picks for Evan Kirk. This would of paired Kirk and Miller together after they come off a summer in which they won the Mann Cup. But a problem in getting a contract signed had Miller sitting out for the first 6 weeks of the season, and was traded at the trade deadline. That promted a revolving door at the backup goalie position.
Don Alton a 2014 draft pick dressed for six games facing 1 shot (goal) in 1:25, Chris Collins (1 game) and even Bill McGlone (2 games) dressed but saw no action. Kevin Croswell dressed for 6 games had a 1-1 record with a 12.22 GAA. Back in 2013 Croswell had a 19.87 GAA in 33 minutes of playing time, and had a very rough going. Now with the team stationed in New England, the now BlackWolves have signed Croswell to be the backup to Evan Kirk.
So can Croswell be the answer this time? Or will the New England fans see a revolving door at the position.
In 7 seasons Croswell has a 7-16 record and 11.58 GAA. 3 of the 7 wins came back in 2009. Since playing over 500 minutes in that season, Croswell s time has dropped byt playing 216 minutes in 2010 and no more the 153 minutes since 2011.
When Croswell does see action, whether it be in mop up duty or to come in to stop the bleeding for a few minutes he needs to be on his A game. And when he does get that start he really must shine, otherwise it will be like Abbott and Costello. Instead of Who’s on First, it will be Who’s the Backup.
