Healthy competition ... it's a good thing!

Posted by Roy Mlakar on November 11, 2008

Newcomer Alex Auld is off to a fast start between the pipes for the Sens and, according to general manager Bryan Murray, that is "healthy" for the organization. "Especially when both goalies are class acts and play for the team and not themselves," Murray added.

Going into tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens, Auld has a 5-2-1 record and leads the NHL with a 1.84 goals-against average. His save percentage, an outstanding .936, is currently second-best in the league.

Bryan should know all about Auld. When he was general manager of the Florida Panthers, Murray made Auld his second selection in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Auld has since played for five teams, with his best year coming in Vancouver in 2005-06, when he won 33 games and posted a 2.94 goals-against average.

With Auld and Martin Gerber on hand, Murray likes the goaltending tandem he now has in place.

"Our players have always liked Martin (Gerber)," said Murray. "Marty comes to work every day, trains very hard and is a battler. Both guys get along so well and to date, complement one another."

Gerber, who won the No. 1 job early last season and guided the team to its red-hot start (tops in NHL after 20 games with a 16-4-0 record), lost a 2-1 heartbreaker last Friday night at Carolina.

The good news is, everyone has confidence regardless of who gets the nod in net and that certainly is a good thing!