The Penguins weren’t essentially anticipating Murashov to come back over when he did, as he was in a superb scenario at residence in Russia. However Evgenii Peretrukhin, a detailed household good friend who has helped the goaltender along with his profession in Russia, suggested him to go to North America.
It labored out nicely, as Murashov has thrived with the Penguins group. He posted a 12-3 report with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, which included a 10-game win streak that set a workforce rookie report, and a 17-7-1 report with Wheeling of the ECHL.
This season, Murashov ranks fourth in wins (5), third in goals-against common (1.73) and fifth in save proportion (.931) within the AHL this season.
Murashov earned AHL Goaltender of the Month honors in October simply previous to his first NHL recall.
“It was his dream, he at all times wished to play within the NHL. He was very pleased when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins,” mentioned Peretrukhin, who made the journey to see Murashov play.
“I used to be in Saint Petersburg in Russia. It was 10 p.m. and I used to be going to go to mattress. Sergei known as me and mentioned, ‘I need to see you right here.’ So, I received off the bed, and went to the airport,” Peretrukhin mentioned.
He had bother flying out of Newark to Pittsburgh, as all flights have been cancelled largely because of the authorities shutdown. So, Peretrukhin ended up getting a automotive service, driving six hours to be right here for Murashov.
“I slept immediately about two or three hours as a result of I used to be nervous. He was not. I noticed him this morning, and he wasn’t nervous in any respect. He was smiling. He was pleased,” Peretrukhin mentioned. “And I mentioned, ‘Do you keep in mind, Sergei, whenever you left Russia? Someday your dream will come true, and immediately is that day.’”
Murashov mentioned the one time he actually felt any nerves was determining what to do for his rookie lap.
“The primary couple minutes, I used to be type of getting used to the velocity,” Murashov mentioned. “However after, I felt I used to be simply doing my factor. Attempt to cease the puck, and don’t take into consideration something. Doing my job, you understand?
“It’s all about preparation for the sport. You might be constructing it by apply, all through the summer season, going into camp, making ready for this, going to NHL video games… now I am right here, and positively it isn’t about efficiency immediately, however all of the work I did earlier than.”
Earlier than the sport, Penguins Head Coach Dan Muse talked about how Murashov is extraordinarily pushed and diligent when it comes to that preparation, significantly off the ice. On the ice, “he’s extraordinarily aggressive, athletic, simply at all times in battle with unfastened pucks, scrums, and every little thing else,” Muse mentioned.
Murashov made quite a lot of saves that showcased these qualities, his finest one coming within the second interval, a diving glove save on Quinton Byfield. He needed to come up huge on the penalty kill in that interval as nicely. Sadly, the Kings battled again within the third to show a 2-1 deficit right into a 3-2 lead, which stood as the ultimate rating.
