CanadasTeam
Registered User
Seriously though - why won't management deal with this once and for all. Just designate the starter and designate the backup. If they don't want to do that, then move one or both of them out. This is causing a lot of stress and uncertainty for both of these guys, and has been for years. It's too long. There's no doubt that it's affecting their game. If they win, they think, "great, I won- but am I playing next game?". If they lose, they think "oh well, at least I'll be backup". This removes a level of competition from their heads. If one of them is the starter, then they'll play like one. But if they don't know if they're #1 or #2, then - they'll play like that. If they win, ok, if not, ok as well - they'll drop to #2. They NEED to nkow where they're at so they can play like it. They're both good guys, at least give them the decency to officially designate them. Deal with it, make the decisions, and stamp it.
I honestly believe they made that decision a long time ago but since Bernier did not do too well at the start they temporarily replaced him with Reimer/Sparks.
Bernier got sent down for conditioning stint (it's what it really was: conditioning stint). Now, do you honestly believe they would've done the same if it was Reimer who struggled? I seriously doubt it -- they are perfectly content to have Reimer at the end of the bench holding a clipboard (as originally planned).