Two-time American Hockey League All-Star goaltender Wade Dubielewicz played the role of hero and backstopped the New York Islanders into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.
Dubielewicz, who was the AHL’s rookie of the year in 2003-04, made 22 saves through regulation and overtime before making two crucial stops in the shootout as the Islanders defeated New Jersey, 3-2, to earn the eighth and final playoff spot out of the Eastern Conference.
Dubielewicz is 22-12-5 with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 40 appearances for the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season. He made his second career AHL All-Star Classic appearance in January.
Since being recalled from Bridgeport on Mar. 27, Dubielewicz is also 4-1-0 for the Islanders, who turned to him after Mike Dunham struggled in place of injured starter Rick DiPietro.
The Islanders will meet the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
