Knickle Gets Competition as Gulls Bring In Malarchuk

The more goalie Rick Knickle wins, the more the Gulls challenge him by bringing in big-name replacements. After limiting the opposition to three goals in two victories last week, Knickle was greeted Tuesday with word Clint Malarchuk joined the team.

Malarchuk has played in 338 NHL games during the past 11 seasons, compiling a 3.47 goals-against average. On loan from the NHL Buffalo Sabres, where he previously played for Gull Coach Rick Dudley, Malarchuk expects to stay here for the season.

Last year, while Knickle was on his way to leading the International Hockey League in victories with 28, the Gulls signed Canadian Olympic goalie Sean Burke.

“I know it’s nothing against me,” Knickle said. “You can never have too many good goalies.”

Knickle is expected to start Thursday against the Fort Wayne Komets (7:05 p.m. at the Sports Arena). To make room on the roster, backup goalie Bruce Hoffort was let go.

Both Dudley and General Manager Don Waddell cited a grueling schedule as reason for bringing in Malarchuk. After playing Fort Wayne here Thursday and Friday, the Gulls fly Saturday to Kansas City for a game that night. There will be 10 more such stretches during the season.

“You need two goalies in this league,” Waddell said. “And this weekend is a perfect example of why.”

Malarchuk, beset by injuries last year, has played only one regular-season game since February and said he hopes to regain his form in the IHL.

In Buffalo, Malarchuk was the fourth stringer.

“I’m using this to resurrect my career,” he said. “Since (Buffalo’s) camp broke, it has been hard. The last few days I was playing forward in practice.”