LV obtains new backup goalie

Tim Graham

Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Shaken by his performances earlier this season and his lack of size, the Las Vegas Thunder has found a replacement for backup goaltender Igor Karpenko.

The Thunder summoned Andrei Mezin from the Flint Generals of the Colonial Hockey League Saturday, a move that will allow the team to part ways with Karpenko, who was playing on a 25-game contract.

The 5-foot-8, 158-pound Karpenko started two games for the Thunder. He went 0-2-0 with a goals-against average of 5.38 and a save percentage of .793.

"We're not sure Karpenko has the experience or the size," Las Vegas general manager Bob Strumm. "It just seemed that pucks were dropping in from the blue line and high on him."

No. 1 goaltender "Duffus has played a lot of games, and we can't continue to pitch Duffus every night. We have some tough stretches coming up, and we need someone we have confidence in."

The Thunder will carry Karpenko, Mezin and Duffus until it decides what it will do with Karpenko, whose National Hockey League rights belong to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. His agent, Los Angeles-based Gary Greenstin, comes to Las Vegas Friday.

"We've gotta move forward in some direction to come up with the right combination," Strumm said.

Mezin was off to a stellar start in Flint, where he was leading the CHL in several categories. Mezin started 12 of the Generals' 14 games, going 8-2-1 with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. He posted one shutout.

The 22-year-old from Shelybinsk, Russia, was named to the CHL All-Rookie team a year ago after posting a 27-9-2 record with a 3.49 goals-against average. He also helped the generals win the league championship, clinching the Colonial Cup with a 9-0 shutout in Game 6.

Mezin played in one game for Fort Wayne of the International Hockey League last season. As a substitute, he allowed on goal on 24 shots. He started off this season in Fort Wayne, but asked to be returned to Flint because of a lack of playing time.

In Flint, Mezin was coached by former Detroit Vipers and San Diego Gulls assistant Robbie Nichols.

"Robbie believes strongly (Mezin) can play in this league," Strumm said. "He thinks the world of this kid and would like to see him get an opportunity.

"Sometimes you roll the dice a little bit in terms of prospects."

But the Generals aren't expecting Mezin's return anytime soon.

"I know they told him to pack a lot of stuff," team spokesman Brian Martin said. "He's a good one. He'll surely be missed."

Thunderbolts

* RUMBLINGS: On Sunday, the Thunder demoted defenseman Ryan Bast and center Chris Beregeron to Toledo of the East Coast Hockey League, and returned right wing Dean Shmyr to New Mexico of the Western Professional Hockey League. ... Thunder property Andrei Srubko, who was expected to be brought up from Toledo along with Bast for this weekend's games against Phoenix and Utah, was not recalled because of a groin injury.