The Washington Capitals have a scheduled off day today that is well deserved after two back to back road wins but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a roster move made. They did make one and it was to send goaltender Zach Fucale to the Hershey Bears. This must mean Vitek Vanecek is better from his banged up injury.
Zach Fucale became the first Capital in franchise history to record a shutout in his debut, stopping all 21 shots he faced Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Fucale became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in his NHL debut at age 26 or older.
With his start, Fucale became the third goaltender in franchise history to make his NHL debut at the age of 26 or older, joining Martin Brochu (26) and Michael Rosati (30) who both debuted in the 1998-99 season. Fucale became the 51st goaltender in franchise history to play in a game.
Fucale is 3-0-2 with Hershey this season with a 1.73 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. The six foot two, 189 pound goaltender is tied for second in the AHL in goals against average among goaltenders with at least five games played.
During the 2020-21 season, the Laval, Quebec, native led the AHL in goals against average with 1.80 and ranked second in save percentage at .932, establishing career highs in both categories. Fucale played 11 games with Hershey, the most games he has played at the AHL level since the 2017-18 season, posting a 9-2-0-1 record.
Fucale’s nine wins that season 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.
"I can't dream it better to be honest. This is a really great moment and that's a great win. It's been a helluva journey. But now one's out of the way, we move on and we go to the next game."
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2021
Zach Fucale postgame.#CapsWings pic.twitter.com/wvNpAH02Ve
Fucale spoke to the media after his NHL debut:
"“I can’t dream it better to be honest. This is a really great moment and at the end of the day it is a great win and it has been a hell of a journey … it was a fun night.”"
Now Fucale heads to Hershey riding high knowing he has what it takes to hold it down in the NHL.