Thomas proves he's still a backup at heart

By Chris Maza

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

There can be no doubt about it - the better goalie won the trip to the Eastern Conference semis and a date with the Penguins.
Put aside save percentages. Forget the goals against average. When it came right down to it in Game 7, Cam Ward was a rock while Tim Thomas had Bruins fans pulling out their hair all night.
It all came to a bitter end with a terrific play by Scott Walker, but that was only made possible by a terrible play by Thomas on a routine shot that hit him right in the B on his sweater. Instead of smothering the puck, Thomas was unable to gather it and Walker smacked it out of the air and into the net.
But long before this, Thomas was making everything an adventure, showing the same inability to control the puck he has displayed the entire season. Long rebound after long rebound gave Carolina chances that had a better team been opposing the Bruins, this one could have turned into a laugher very quickly.
So now the question is raised - is Tim Thomas as good as New England seems to think he is or was his success this season the product of a much-improved defense?
The latter most certainly is the case. Fundamentally, Thomas is one of the most frustrating goalies to watch at any level. NESN should run a disclaimer on the bottom of the screen warning those with pacemakers and serious heart or anxiety disorders to watch at their own risk. On top of his inability to control the puck, Thomas makes things look harder than it really should be. Like Rey Ordonez used to do at shortstop for the Mets, Thomas makes easy plays into adventures and then is heralded as a great, athletic goaltender. However, more often than not, his sprawling saves are nothing but a byproduct of poor positioning or an inability to read a rush. A half-step slower and Thomas would be the second-worst goaltender in the AHL.
Thomas is a grinder. He's tough as nails and this doesn't mean he hasn't done great things this season, but make no mistake - he's a backup performing a starter's duties.