The Washington Capitals announced Sunday morning they have recalled goaltender Zach Fucale from Hershey. In 31 games with the Bears this season, Fucale posted a record of 11-15-5 with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.
FROM THE CAPITALS
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Zach Fucale from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Fucale, 26, posted a record of 1-1-1 with one shutout, a 1.75 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in four games for the Capitals this season. The 6’2″, 189-pound goaltender became the first goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut when he stopped all 21 shots against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 11 at Little Caesars Arena.
In his second career NHL start on Jan. 8 against the Minnesota Wild, the Laval, Quebec, native broke a Washington franchise record for the longest shutout streak by a goaltender from the start of a tenure with the franchise in the first period, besting Cristobal Huet’s mark of 80:36. In the second period, he broke the NHL record for the longest career-opening shutout sequence. Fucale’s streak ended at 138 minutes and 17 seconds, beating Matt Hackett’s (Minnesota) mark of 102:48 set in 2011.
In 31 games with the Bears this season, Fucale posted a record of 11-15-5 with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.
During the 2020-21 season, Fucale led the AHL in goals-against average (1.80) and ranked second in save percentage (.932), establishing career highs in both categories. Fucale played the most games (11) he has played at the AHL level since the 2017-18 season, posting a 9-2-0 record. Fucale’s nine wins were tied for eighth in the AHL, while his two losses were the fewest among goaltenders with at least 660 minutes played. Fucale and Pheonix Copley received the AHL’s Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, presented to the goaltenders on the team which allows the fewest goals per game in the regular season. In 90 career AHL games, Fucale has a 43-36-6 record with a 2.88 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.
Any port in a storm …i’ve been asking them to bring him up forever now but they dont seem to listen to me 🤦♀️🤷♀️
The timing seems late, unless there is an injury.
What? Is there an injury we don’t know about? Looks like the Caps have a three headed monster now😁
Good question. Caps practice at 10:30 so we should find out more.
Great job John, always breaking the news 1 st.👍🏽
👊 How we feeling about the first round series, Marky?
I am expecting them to win a few games. Panthers can be had here if Caps play a 60 game which can be debated.
With ya on all of this.
Confusing. Why now and not before, get him acclimated. And why not Copley who has the better numbers?
Just thinking here…..As both the goalies on the roster are RFA after the season and Fucals is the same age as the other 2, could this be making a statement that one of you is gone after the season and Fucale is in if you dont play well in the post seeason? After all sammy does not play like a $2 mil goalie consistently and sad to say but VV makes a lot less and has a better GAA and save %. One stat that I cant find is the goals average scored by the Caps in each game that each of the goalies started, in other words did one get more goal support than the other?
I thought “inspiration move” as well.
If the manger would of let one of these goalies start 50 games, then we would have our answer as to who’s a number one. Because he didn’t, will have the same questions next year.
Definitely some truth to that. I don’t like the way that Samsonov’s game has deteriorated. I’ve followed all of his games since his draft day (Metallurg, Hershey). This is the worst he’s played.
I guess Bears will be going into their playoffs with Cops and Hunter Shepherd. Will be a good test for Shepherd.
Didn’t a west coast team Friday have to use an EPUB? I would imagine this is just insurance, to give Fucale some practice with the team in case they do have to go to him. Makes sense to have 3 goalies on hand.
I read that some other playoff teams have recalled more players from their AHL affiliates.
Was just discussing on Twitter. Looks like Copley will go all three games next weekend. Friday, Sunday and Monday if necessary.
OK, it’s EBUG not EPUB. I loused that one up. So Bears are not planning to use any backup. But they still have to dress one and Cops could get hurt. So will it be Shepherd backing Cops up?
This move is just to have three goalies on the roster for playoffs (for Caps). I don’t suspect Fucale will be in the conversation unless someone gets hurt. Others will come when Hershey season is over but no need to bring anyone else up. We have two extra forwards and two extra dee.