ROCKFORD — After chasing his dream for 13 years, veteran goalie Jeff Glass got the call-up from Rockford to Chicago that he had been waiting for late last month.
Then he parlayed that call-up into a dominant showing in his NHL debut last Friday, sparking the Blackhawks to a 4-3 overtime victory with 42 saves. Now, he could just find himself sticking with the Hawks.
“There’s that chance, and I’m sure that’s just what he wants to happen,” said Rockford’s new No. 1 goalie, Collin Delia. “If that’s the case, then it’s up to Matt (Tompkins) and I to step up next.”
Which basically means the Hogs may have to rely on two rookie netminders for awhile — and two guys who were not necessarily standing on their heads in their time with the Indy Fuel this season.
They have both played well in their short time in Rockford so far, and neither is taking the opportunity for granted. They both know how important this stretch is for them and for their future in the game.
Here is a breakdown of the new IceHogs’ goalies:
Collin Delia
Profile: 6-foot-2, 200-pound, 23-year-old goalie from Rancho Cucamonga, California
Resume: Was 9-8-3 with a .927 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average last year at Merrimack College; but went 1-7-2 as goalie for the Indy Fuel this season, giving up 4.12 goals per game.
Call-up date: Dec. 1
Rough stretch: He surrendered six goals in a loss on Thanksgiving Day in his final game with Indy, and in an early November game with the Fuel, he surrendered five goals before getting yanked early in the second period.
AHL suits him: Delia has stepped up his play since joining the Hogs, however, and while he is just 1-2 in his first three games, he has a 3.76 goals-against average, the lowest of his career.
What they say: “It’s just been awesome to see him get his chance between the pipes, and he’s really taking advantage of it,” said Rockford’s leading scorer, rookie center Matthew Highmore. “You can really tell he wants this.”
What he says: “It’s been going really well, and I feel like I’ve been taking some big steps forward since I got here. ... I don’t look at it as pressure to perform, it’s just an opportunity. I’ve got to show them what I can do.”
Matt Tomkins
Profile: 6-3, 206-pound, 23-year-old goalie from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Resume: Was starting goalie for four years at Ohio State, and was named two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection; was 4-3 with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in Indy this season.
Call-up date: Dec. 26
Rough stretch: Surrendered 15 goals in his last four games with the Fuel, three of which were losses.
AHL suits him: He is 0-1 after giving up six goals in his lone start for the Hogs, but he had 25 saves, several strong stops, and he earned praise from those around him.
What they say: “He’s been waiting for this opportunity,” IceHogs head coach Jeremy Colliton said of Tomkins. “He’s got this chance to really show what he’s got, and he’s not taking that lightly. When he gets out there, he’s going to make it count.”
What he says: “This is a long-term process, and I know it’s not going to happen overnight,” Tomkins said. “My mindset is to focus on the basics, and continue to develop. I’ll get there.”
Jay Taft: 815-987-1384; jtaft@rrstar.com; @JayTaft