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Top 3 Goaltenders of the Group Stage
(Photo: Robert Hradil)

Bringing our Top 3 series of the Group Stage to a close is our pick of goaltenders.

Goaltenders can make or break results - a good day for your man between the pipes is often the result between a W and an L in the Champions Hockey League - here's our selection of the Top 3 Goaltenders of the 2022/23 Group Stage.

Peyton Jones, Belfast Giants (Photo: Lukas Filipec)

Peyton Jones - Belfast Giants

Despite missing out on the Playoffs, Peyton Jones and the Belfast Giants enjoyed their six-game stint in the CHL this season.

The 26-year-old American is one of only two goaltenders to have played on all six Group Stage Game Days and ranks fifth in total saves made with 152. 

The 193 cm, 95 kg netminder, who played his first CHL season this year, ended the season with a 3.31 Goals Against Average, ranking him in the top 10 of the GAA leaderboard, and a Save Percentage of just under 89%.

The Belfast netminder held his side numerous times and played one of his best games against Czech side Oceláři Třinec, capping it off with an unreal OT save and a SO victory to help his club capture their first points of the campaign - and securing him Play of the Night!

Christian Heljanko - Tappara Tampere

25-year-old Christian Heljanko is controlling the crease in his fifth CHL campaign with Tappara Tampere and sixth participation overall. He has been a fixture in the Finnish organisation and has represented the club in the CHL in his last five appearances.

Last year he helped his club to their first CHL Final and has helped Tappara again this year by getting them one step closer by securing them a place in the final 16 with his stellar performances over the course of the Group Stage. 

Heljanko has been on the winning team four times this season, only once standing on the losers' side. He's made 115 saves and let only six hit the back of his net, good for a Save Percentage of over 95% - by far one of the highest in the CHL so far this season!

His GAA is also one of the best we've seen this season, sitting at just 1.19!

It's been clear for many seasons now that Heljanko is one of the best goaltenders in Europe and he hasn't been taking any breaks in 2022/23. With a man like him in net, Tappara can take on any team in the Playoffs. Could he be the man we are searching for for our Team of the Group Stage?

Christian Heljanko, Tappara Tampere (Photo: Fritz Leuzinger)

Hunter Miska - Straubing Tigers

The Straubing Tigers and their performances on the ice have been one of the biggest surprises of the Group Stage and Hunter Miska is a big reason why.

The DEL club dominated Group F and secured their place in the Playoffs with ease and their 185 cm, 79 kg American netminder has been there for all but one of their games. 

He's made 126 saves, recorded one shutout and sits on a 91.97% Save Percentage. 

His 2.2 GAA is also noteworthy because it ranks him among some of the best netminders in the whole CHL.

Who knows where Miska and Straubing's rollercoaster ride will end, but his performances on the ice have definitely earned him a place on our Top 3 Goaltenders of the Group Stage list, but will it be enough to land him a spot on the Team of the Group Stage?

Hunter Miska, the Straubing Tigers(Photo: FREDRIK KARLSSON)

Don't forget to tune in on Friday to find out which players made our Team of the Group Stage!

 
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