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Wednesday, December 1, 1999
Fountain 'just happy' to answer Sens' call
Mike Fountain had the best seat in the Corel Centre last night and was just glad to be in it.
The Senators goaltender looked quite comfortable seated at the end of the bench -- where Patrick Lalime usually is perched -- after answering the club's call to the Grand Rapids Griffins for help Monday night.
With starter Ron Tugnutt listed as day-to-day with a sore left knee, the Senators brought in Fountain, who had brief NHL experience with the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes the last two seasons.
"I really am just happy to be here," said Fountain prior to the game against Chicago. "I don't know how long I'm going to be here or what my role is going to be but it was a real boost to the confidence to get the call.
"It came down to me and Patrick Lalime in training camp and I completely understood when they went with Patrick, because he did a great job and he's proved he belongs here. I just went down to Grand Rapids with the right attitude and I've been working hard."
SHUTOUT DEBUT
Fountain's claim to fame is that he was only the 19th goaltender in history to post a shutout in his first game, when he achieved the feat with Vancouver in November 1998 against New Jersey.
Fountain, 27, has been splitting the duties in Grand Rapids with Jani Hurme and has posted a 2.82 goals-against average. Fountain has a 7-3-2-1 record and was named IHL goalie of the week to start the season.
"(Grand Rapids coach) Guy Charron has been going with the guy who has the hot hand and I've played in the last four games down there," said Fountain.
"It's been a great experience. It just seems like whoever is playing better down there is going to play. We've got a good team down there and we're in first place. I'm just glad I was able to get the call."
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