Peter Budaj News: Pro Sports Daily

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February 4

Denver Post

columnist Terry Frei

"Peter Budaj was the only Avalanche goaltender on the ice for practice Wednesday; Craig Anderson had the day off. As he usually does, Budaj stayed out long after the conclusion of the team work, playing the foil for the lingering skaters and a mixture of serious individual work and horseplay. This season, Budaj has started only eight games. The conclusion is unavoidable: Avs coach Joe Sacco, who praises Budaj's attitude and professionalism, has little confidence in him. Anderson has had a remarkable season. Yet there have been many instances when starting Budaj made sense — most notably when Colorado played on back-to-back nights. Still, Sacco has gone with Anderson, hoping he can hold up ..."

Budaj returns to Slovakia's Olympic squad

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December 30

Denver Post

"For the second time in his hockey career, Peter Budaj will be an Olympian. The Avalanche's backup goalie Tuesday was named to the Slovakian Olympic team for February's Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. "It's obviously a big honor to represent your country, and I'm very happy," Budaj said. Budaj played for Slovakia in the 2006 Olympics in Turin. He went 2-1 with a 2.01 goals- against average and .924 save percentage in three starts. Budaj may not be the only Avs goalie going to Vancouver; Craig Anderson is under consideration for the U.S. team, which will be announced after the Winter Classic in Boston on Friday. "Craig has certainly earned the right to be considered," Avs coach Joe ..."

Budaj earns praise for solid efforts

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December 6

Denver Post

"For the first month of the season, the Avalanche's reliance on goaltender Craig Anderson as a workhorse was understandable, given his strong play. But in recent weeks, with Anderson coming back down to earth, Colorado coach Joe Sacco's continued reluctance to use Peter Budaj at least made it appear as if he had little faith in the Slovak goalie. So, what has Sacco learned about Budaj the past two games, when Anderson has been unavailable because of an injured neck? "I think he's a pretty resilient guy," Sacco said after the Avalanche's 3-2 victory over Columbus on Saturday. "It's been a tough go for him over the past couple of months here. He understood his role, he worked hard, and he ..."

Avalanche's Budaj issue keeps growing

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December 1

Denver Post

"It is simply impossible not to like Peter Budaj. The kid is unfailingly polite to everyone, always credits others for any success he has and never ducks the media after a rough night. That's why it has been painful to see what Budaj has gone through this season with the Avalanche. He is the forgotten man, the goalie who never plays. The Avs played their 28th game Monday night, a 3-0 victory against the Lightning. Budaj has started exactly two of them. His last start came Nov. 18 at Edmonton, a 6-4 loss in which he allowed five goals on 32 shots. In the three games he has played, his goals-against average is 4.29, and his save percentage is .855. It's clear that coach Joe Sacco doesn't have ..."

Sullen Budaj takes blame for loss to Oilers

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November 19

Denver Post

"On a night when Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj fought the puck, the puck emerged the decisive victor. On a night when the Avs had a two-goal lead and two subsequent 5-on-3 power-play advantages, they decided to get more charitable than Bill Gates' foundation and dropped a 6-4 decision to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night. With the five goals he gave up on 32 shots, Budaj has allowed nine goals in fewer than five periods of work in the past week. This might explain his hunched posture and the muttering gestures to himself in the locker room afterward. "Pucks were going through me," Budaj said. "We score four goals on the road, we should win. I was in the right position a few times, but ..."

Avalanche coach Sacco confirms Budaj is battling swine flu

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October 28

Denver Post

"Avalanche coach Joe Sacco confirmed Tuesday that backup goalie Peter Budaj, who missed his scheduled first start of the season Friday because of illness, has been diagnosed with swine flu, the H1N1 virus. "We've taken the necessary steps, the necessary precautions, to keep him away from the guys at the right time," Sacco said. "Hopefully, he'll be joining us on this trip." Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said Tuesday that before the season, the team's medical and training staff formulated a conditional plan that would kick in if any players were diagnosed with H1N1. He said that plan — primarily involving isolation for any stricken player and additional preventive medications for ..."

Avs' Budaj out with flu; Anderson back in

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October 24

Denver Post

"About Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson's night off ... Never mind. Colorado backup goalie Peter Budaj, scheduled to get his first start of the season tonight against Carolina, has the flu and won't play. Avalanche coach Joe Sacco said Anderson would start his 10th consecutive game tonight. Tyler Weiman was recalled from Lake Erie, was at the morning skate today and will suit up as Anderson's backup. "Peter came down with some flu-like symptoms (Thursday) afternoon," Sacco said this morning. "I made a call to Craig and informed him that he was going to be playing today." In six games with Lake Erie this season, Weiman has a 3-3 record, a 2.16 goals-against average and a .916 saves ..."

Avalanche goalie Anderson gets first rest; Budaj to start vs. Hurricanes

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October 23

Denver Post

"Glenn Hall's NHL record of 502 straight games started by a goalie is still safe - Craig Anderson won't play all 82 games this season for the Avalanche. Backup Peter Budaj will get his first start of the season tonight in Colorado's ninth game, at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. "I think it's the right time to get Peter in there and it's the right time to give Craig a night off," Avs coach Joe Sacco said. "We've been riding Craig, but everybody here has faith in Peter. He's going to play a great game for us." Budaj, the starting goalie on opening night the previous two seasons, has tried to stay sharp by working extensively with new Avs goalie coach Jocelyn Thibault. Anderson is ..."

Budaj signs deal, likely No. 2 in net

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June 30

Denver Post

"Peter Budaj may not be the starting goaltender for the Avalanche when the 2009-10 season begins. But he will be on the roster. Budaj signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Avs on Monday, avoiding arbitration. The Slovakian native made $800,000 last season, and many speculated he would be cut loose by a team that finished last in the Western Conference. But Budaj is still young, at 26, and always has been praised by teammates for his good attitude and work ethic. Those are the qualities best associated with backup goaltenders, and it is likely Budaj will enter the Avs' training camp as their No. 2 goalie. Colorado is still waiting to hear the decision from 24-year-old Swedish ..."