Storm sends goaltender to Dayton

11/9/2005

With the anticipated return of goaltender Logan Koopmans this weekend, the Toledo Storm sent backup Chad Collins to Dayton.

Collins had a 2-1-1 record and allowed 11 goals on 95 shots for a save percentage of .884 for the Storm. Collins, who had a goals-against average of 2.92, was traded to Dayton in exchange for cash.

The move also was prompted by the steady play of newcomer David Cann, who was added to the roster on Oct. 30. Cann (2-1-0) has yielded eight goals on 81 shots for a .901 save percentage. He made 39 saves in Toledo s 2-1 victory over Reading on Sunday.

We were deciding between the two of them and David took a big step forward with his performance on Sunday, coach Nick Vitucci said. He played in 41 games with Johnstown last season, so he has experience.

Koopmans has appeared in two games, but played only a portion of the first period of the second game of the season when he left with a shoulder injury.

Koopmans, who has missed five games, is 1-0-0 and has given up seven goals on 48 shots (.854). Koopmans appeared in 23 games for the Storm last year and was 12-10-1. He finished with a 2.82 goals-against average and had a save percentage of .906.

Vitucci said Koopmans is practicing with the team and is 100 percent healthy.

We re going to go with the hot hand and we really do not have a No. 1 or No. 2 goaltender right now, Vitucci said. But we re looking for Logan to be the big man in net.

Vitucci said he had no hesitation sending Collins to rival Dayton, which the Storm faces 10 more times this season.

We wanted to make sure Chad landed on his feet somewhere, Vitucci said. They have a need for goaltending. But their goalie [Mike Ayers] has been spectacular against us anyway. So if Chad is spectacular against us, it won t be any different.

Contact Mark Monroe at:mmonroe@theblade.com or 419-724-6110.