Zero games are not Justus Annus, 23, a new thing. In the fall of 2019, the man from Kempele played an unfathomable four clean sheets in a row at Kärpi in Oulu, although not in consecutive matches. At that time, Annus stopped 90 consecutive shots in four matches against Ilves, SaiPa, Jukurei and KooKoo. In total, the clean streak stretched to an incredible 302 minutes and 5 seconds.
Now Annunen is building the same at the NHL level, as the goal behind the Colorado goalkeeper has remained clean for two games, i.e. 120 minutes.
In the name of fairness, and without taking anything away from Annus, it must be remembered that both of the shutouts came as sacks against Chicago. Chicago is the NHL’s weakest team in terms of scoring power, as evidenced by the 37 goals scored in the previous 26 games. In the 2024 side, 1.4 goals have been scored per match.
Annunen has emerged well after receiving the NHL command in mid-January. The winning record in six matches is 3-2-1, and the performances in the court haven’t given reason for more criticism either.
Tuesday morning’s clean sheet included a whopping 37 saves.
– I could never have imagined that such Zero Games would hit my mark. Of course it feels good, said Justus Annunen, who was contacted by Urheilu from Denver.
According to the long formula
By chance, Annune has not emerged at the NHL level, and not even surprisingly. Colorado has been marinating Kiekko-Laser’s breed in its farm team for three years already. Annunen actually made his debut at the farm already in the spring of 2021, so the fourth season in the iron league is at hand. The long AHL road is a route through which fewer and fewer Finns travel to the NHL lights.
About the players of the new era Valtteri Puustinen and Kasperi Kapanen are players who were incubating at the bottom for a really long time.
– When you come from Europe, especially as a goalkeeper, the fact is that you are not given a place to play here for free. It has to be grated through the farm. Especially when we have a team here that is chasing a championship every year. Nothing is really given then. I have become aware of this and believe that the place opens up when you work hard, Annunen says.
Annunen has done a good job at the farm, at least in light of the statistics. The winning record in four AHL seasons is a handsome 60-29-19 and 8-5 in the playoffs as well. With good reason, at least through the numbers, we can talk about a winning goaltending game.
Annunen himself is beating himself up about this season, but admits that the farm league is as if played through.
– This has by no means been a key season in the AHL. It felt a bit like that all the time there were such confusing goals that I could have caught. The tempo of the game and other things feel good there, and because of that, I have been confident that I can already play even in bright lights. Now we’re up here trying to earn that spot every day.
Grinding at the bottom is sometimes hard for everyone, but Annunen has kept his head down while pushing towards the goal.
– Of course, there can be difficult periods in the years, when you play a lot and are far from home. It takes its toll. However, have fun and constantly be aware of my dreams and goals. It makes everyday life easier when you know what you are going for.
One day at a time
Annus’ situation in Colorado is interesting to say the least after two zero games. TPS background Alexander Georgiev carries the responsibility of the first keeper, but Annus could have a chance for another position towards the spring. Other candidates Pavel Francouz is ill at the end of the season and Ivan Prosvetov was sent to the farm. The latter won four of his eight starts in the NHL.
Of course, Colorado is one of those teams that might strengthen their group even before the transfer deadline of the weekend.
– Of course, the goal is to stay at the top, that’s why we’re here. This is the dream and goal that has been pursued since I was young. Still, no one is talking here. Everything that happens to me is resolved the day before or the same day. Every day you have to earn everything. Nothing is given to me here. Everything must be taken.
As for the game, the goalie assures that he will constantly get better at you with the NHL.
– Everything happens faster in the NHL and the top players are really good. The challenge in the past has been that I have only played one game at a time. Now you already notice that playing feels better and more natural all the time, the longer you can stay here now. It affects quite a lot, Annunen points out.
Although the competition is tough and the business is rough, the good-natured Annunen does not want to take on too much pressure about what will happen next.
– The biggest thing is to be able to constantly improve your own game and also enjoy it, the good-natured goalkeeper reminds us in the end.