Arizona Coyotes' Louis Domingue Fast Becoming Fan Favorite
Arizona Coyotes goaltender Louis Domingue burst onto the scene last year after Mike Smith went down with an injury. It didn’t take long for fans to latch on to the young netminder and make him an Arizona favorite.
When Arizona Coyotes long-time goaltender Mike Smith was pulled from the lineup in November last year, all eyes turned toward then-backup goalie Anders Lindback.
Smith had been injured in a game a couple of weeks earlier. He had ignored the injury until it became obvious it was holding him back.
Smith required surgery that ensured he wouldn’t see the ice again for several months.
With Lindback stepping up to fill the void, Louis Domingue was brought in to mind the net alongside Lindback.
The plan was for the two to share the role. But immediately Domingue’s play showed startling poise and unbridled enthusiasm as he went about building a winning record.
Head Coach Dave Tippett began going with whatever gave the team momentum, and Domingue seemed to have it. After Lindback tore his Achilles’ tendon in February while stretching before a game, the job belonged exclusively to Domingue.
During his run as the Arizona Coyotes goaltender, Domingue won the hearts and minds of fans everywhere. Every time he touched the puck, chants of “Louuuuuuu” echoed off the walls of Gila River Arena.
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He won the NHL’s Rookie of the Month Award in January. Though he closed the season with more losses, he eventually tallied 15 wins, a Coyotes rookie record.
King Louis displayed a singular poise in net that few young goaltenders ever show, flashing the glove and making eye-catching saves. His ability to show patience was quickly noticed.
He began to become the talk of Arizona Coyotes fans everywhere. He was the source of excitement as the team continued its push for a playoff spot.
When Louis made a save, the crowd would cheer wildly.
He didn’t begin to show signs of wear until well into his stint as the starter, and this was more than likely due to overuse.
The Arizona Coyotes recently rewarded Domingue with a two-year contract, ensuring he will be in net for the franchise for the foreseeable future. Depending on how well Smith plays, fans could be seeing Domingue in goal in far more games than is typical for a backup.
While Mike Smith remains the starter and did show signs of brilliance during his brief return from injury at the end of the season, he is 34 years old and on the tail-end of his career.
Fans do like Smith, and when he is on his game there are few goalkeepers in the NHL that are as talented. At ten years younger, however, Domingue offers promise and potential while Smith’s best days are likely behind him.
If King Louis plays his cards right and shows his stuff this season, Arizona Coyotes fans may begin seeing him appear in net on a regular basis for the franchise.
Shouts of “Louuuuuuu” could become a regular fixture at Gila River Arena.
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