What are the most memorable goalie fights in hockey history. Which goalies were involved in the most intense on-ice brawls. How did these fights impact the game and the players’ careers.
The Unique Phenomenon of Goalie Fights in Hockey
Hockey is renowned for its physical nature, with fighting being a controversial yet integral part of the sport’s culture. Among the various types of on-ice altercations, goalie fights stand out as particularly rare and exciting spectacles. These unusual confrontations between the last line of defense have become legendary moments in hockey history, captivating fans and sparking debates about sportsmanship and entertainment value.
Why do goalie fights generate so much excitement? There are several factors at play:
- Rarity: Goalie fights occur far less frequently than skater fights, making them special events.
- Unexpected nature: Goalies are typically focused on stopping pucks, not throwing punches.
- Awkwardness: The bulky goalie equipment adds an element of comedy to these brawls.
- High stakes: A goalie fight can energize a team or result in injuries to key players.
Patrick Roy: The Godfather of Goalie Fights
When discussing goalie fights, one name stands above the rest: Patrick Roy. The Hall of Fame netminder was not only one of the greatest goalies in NHL history but also one of the most combative. Roy’s fiery temperament and willingness to drop the gloves made him a pioneer in goalie fights.
What made Patrick Roy’s fights so memorable?
- Frequency: Roy engaged in multiple high-profile goalie fights throughout his career.
- Intensity: His fights were often passionate and aggressive, reflecting his competitive nature.
- Skill: Roy showed surprising fighting ability for a goaltender.
- Impact: His fights often sparked his team and changed the momentum of games.
Roy vs. Osgood: The Red Wings-Avalanche Rivalry
One of Roy’s most famous fights came against Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood during the heated Avalanche-Red Wings rivalry of the late 1990s. This brawl exemplified the intensity of goalie fights and their ability to captivate hockey fans worldwide.
Brent Johnson’s One-Punch Knockout: A Modern Classic
In more recent hockey history, Brent Johnson’s fight against Rick DiPietro stands out as a prime example of a goalie fight that captured the public’s imagination. During a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders in 2011, Johnson skated the length of the ice to engage DiPietro, knocking him out with a single left hook.
Why did this fight become so infamous?
- Quick and decisive: The one-punch knockout was both shocking and impressive.
- Injury impact: DiPietro suffered facial fractures, affecting his already injury-plagued career.
- Viral sensation: The fight quickly spread across social media and sports news outlets.
- Rematch controversy: It led to a violent rematch between the teams, sparking league-wide debate.
Ray Emery: The Goalie with a Fighter’s Heart
Ray Emery was known for his aggressive style both in and out of the crease. His willingness to fight made him a fan favorite and earned him the nickname “Razor.” Emery’s most famous fight came against Buffalo Sabres goalie Martin Biron in 2007, followed immediately by a bout with tough guy Andrew Peters.
What set Ray Emery apart as a fighting goalie?
- Boxing background: Emery trained in boxing, giving him an edge in on-ice fights.
- Fearlessness: He was willing to take on any opponent, regardless of size or position.
- Multiple opponents: In the Sabres incident, Emery fought both a goalie and a skater.
- Celebration: His post-fight exuberance added to the spectacle of his brawls.
The Code of Goalie Fights: Unwritten Rules and Etiquette
Despite their chaotic appearance, goalie fights often adhere to an unwritten code of conduct. This “goalie code” helps maintain a level of sportsmanship even in the heat of battle. Understanding these unspoken rules provides insight into the culture surrounding goalie fights.
What are some key elements of the goalie fight code?
- Consent: Both goalies typically agree to fight before engaging.
- Center ice: Fights often occur at center ice, away from the goals and boards.
- Equipment removal: Goalies may remove certain pieces of equipment for fairness.
- Respecting the outcome: Once a clear winner emerges, the fight usually ends.
- Rarity: Goalies are expected to fight sparingly, unlike some skaters.
The Impact of Goalie Fights on Team Morale and Game Momentum
Goalie fights can have a significant impact on the course of a game and even a team’s season. These rare events often serve as turning points, galvanizing a team or shifting momentum in crucial moments. Coaches and players recognize the potential energy boost that a goalie fight can provide, even if they may not openly encourage such behavior.
How do goalie fights affect team dynamics and game outcomes?
- Emotional catalyst: A goalie fight can inspire a team to play with increased intensity.
- Momentum shift: It can disrupt the flow of the game, potentially benefiting the underdog.
- Risk of injury: Losing a starting goaltender to injury can be devastating for a team.
- Penalty implications: Goalie fights often result in game misconducts, forcing backups into action.
- Long-term consequences: Memorable fights can define rivalries and player reputations.
The Evolution of Goalie Fights in the Modern NHL
As the NHL has evolved, so too has the nature and frequency of goalie fights. Rule changes, increased awareness of concussion risks, and shifting attitudes towards on-ice violence have all contributed to a decline in goalie fights in recent years. However, when they do occur, they still generate significant buzz and excitement among fans and media alike.
How have goalie fights changed in the modern era?
- Decreased frequency: Goalie fights are now much rarer than in previous decades.
- Stricter penalties: The NHL has implemented harsher punishments for goalie fights.
- Player safety concerns: There’s greater awareness of the potential long-term health impacts.
- Tactical considerations: Coaches are less likely to risk losing their starting goaltender to a fight.
li>Media scrutiny: Fights receive more attention and analysis in the age of social media.
The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Goalie Fights
In the digital age, goalie fights have taken on a new life through social media platforms. Clips of these rare events can go viral within minutes, reaching a global audience far beyond traditional hockey fans. This increased exposure has both positive and negative effects on the perception of goalie fights and hockey culture in general.
Memorable Goalie Fights Beyond the NHL
While the NHL provides the most high-profile stage for goalie fights, memorable brawls have occurred at various levels of hockey around the world. From junior leagues to European professional circuits, goaltender altercations have left lasting impressions on fans and players alike.
What are some notable goalie fights outside the NHL?
- Jonathan Roy incident: The son of Patrick Roy sparked controversy with a violent fight in the QMJHL.
- KHL brawls: The Kontinental Hockey League has seen its share of goalie fights, often with a unique cultural twist.
- Minor league mayhem: Lower professional leagues sometimes feature more frequent and intense goalie fights.
- International incidents: Rare but impactful fights during international tournaments have occurred.
The Cultural Differences in Goalie Fights Across Hockey Leagues
The approach to goalie fights varies significantly between different hockey cultures. North American leagues tend to be more tolerant of fighting in general, while European leagues often have stricter rules and cultural norms against on-ice violence. These differences reflect broader attitudes towards physicality and sportsmanship in hockey across the globe.
The Future of Goalie Fights: Extinction or Evolution?
As hockey continues to evolve, the future of goalie fights remains uncertain. While many traditionalists argue for preserving this aspect of hockey culture, others advocate for its elimination in the name of player safety and sportsmanship. The debate surrounding goalie fights reflects larger conversations about the role of fighting in hockey and the sport’s ongoing evolution.
What factors will shape the future of goalie fights?
- Rule changes: The NHL and other leagues may implement stricter penalties for goalie fights.
- Player attitudes: Younger generations of goalies may be less inclined to engage in fights.
- Fan expectations: The balance between tradition and modern sensibilities will influence league decisions.
- Safety research: Ongoing studies on the long-term effects of fighting may impact policies.
- Media coverage: How fights are portrayed in the media will affect public perception.
The Potential for New Forms of Goalie Confrontations
As traditional goalie fights become less common, new forms of goaltender confrontations may emerge. These could include more controlled or stylized forms of competition that maintain the excitement of goalie vs. goalie matchups while minimizing the risk of injury and adhering to evolving standards of sportsmanship.
The Legacy of Goalie Fights in Hockey Lore
Regardless of their future in the sport, goalie fights have already secured a place in hockey history. These rare and often dramatic events have provided some of the most memorable moments in the sport, contributing to the mythos of hockey’s toughness and unpredictability. The legacy of goalie fights extends beyond the ice, influencing popular culture, sports journalism, and the way fans perceive the role of goaltenders in hockey.
How have goalie fights impacted hockey culture?
- Folklore: Stories of legendary goalie fights are passed down through generations of fans.
- Merchandise: Memorabilia and artwork commemorating famous goalie fights remain popular.
- Media representation: Goalie fights often feature prominently in hockey films and documentaries.
- Player legacies: Some goalies are remembered as much for their fighting as for their puck-stopping abilities.
- Fan engagement: The possibility of a goalie fight adds an element of anticipation to live games.
The Psychological Impact of Goalie Fights on Players and Fans
The psychological aspects of goalie fights are complex and multifaceted. For players, engaging in or witnessing a goalie fight can have profound effects on confidence, team dynamics, and personal reputations. Fans experience a range of emotions during these events, from excitement and admiration to concern and disapproval. Understanding these psychological factors provides insight into why goalie fights continue to captivate the hockey world.
In conclusion, goalie fights represent a unique and controversial aspect of hockey culture. From Patrick Roy’s legendary brawls to modern viral sensations, these rare events have left an indelible mark on the sport. As hockey continues to evolve, the future of goalie fights remains uncertain, but their impact on the game’s history and culture is undeniable. Whether viewed as relics of a bygone era or cherished traditions, goalie fights will likely continue to spark debate and fascination among hockey fans for years to come.
Patrick Roy and the 25 Best Goalie Fights in Hockey History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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April WeinerCorrespondent IMay 2, 2011
Patrick Roy and the 25 Best Goalie Fights in Hockey History
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- Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Fighting is a unique aspect of hockey. It is an exciting aspect of hockey.
There are few fights that are more entertaining than a goalie fight.
This past season, we were treated to multiple fights from Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson, as well as a fight between Carey Price and Tim Thomas.
Here are the best goalie fights in hockey history.
25. Neal Little Versus Binghamton Senators
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During a brawl in a Philadelphia Phantoms-Binghamton Senators game, Phantoms goaltender Neal Little wants to get in on the action.
So he literally jumps right in.
Not sure what that accomplished, but it was the thought that counts.
24. Brandon Hope Versus Dalton McGrath
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OHL goalie fight between the Sarnia Sting and Niagara Ice Dogs.
Goaltenders Brandon Hope and Dalton McGrath go at it.
Hope needs to work on his punching technique.
Or not, since goalies don’t fight that often.
23. Linden Rowat Versus Tyler Bunz
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During a WHL game between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers, players take turns getting into fights.
Finally, it’s the goaltenders’ turn.
They meet in center ice for a pretty good bout.
22. Mark Laforest Versus Sean Burke
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Mark Laforest really wants a piece of Sean Burke.
He goes for it but is quickly separated by the linesman.
However, he finally gets his fight a few minutes later.;Composite=(type=URL,url=https/images.radio-canada.ca/v1/assets/elements/16x9/outdated-content-2011.png),gravity=SouthEast,placement=Over,location=(0,0),scale=1)
21. Rick DiPietro Versus Al Montoya
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Rick DiPietro wants to fight Al Montoya during this line brawl.
Montoya is happy to oblige and beat DiPietro to the ground.
20. Byron Dafoe Versus Olaf Kolzig
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Byron Dafoe is looking for a fight from anyone. Olaf Kolzig is too.
Naturally, the two eventually find each other to fight.
19. Miikka Kiprusoff Versus Tomas Vokoun
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Miikka Kiprusoff and Tomas Vokoun engage each other in this goalie fight.
A lot of just holding on to one another, but they manage to stay on their feet the entire time.
Impressive.
18. Pasi Nurminen Versus Ty Conklin
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Pasi Nurminen and Ty Conklin go at it in this goalie fight.
Both seem to tire before the end of the fight.
17. Carey Price Versus Tim Thomas
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Fighting is contagious apparently.
We were treated to a Carey Price and Tim Thomas fight this year.
Not an experienced fight, but not bad.
16. Brent Johnson Versus Michael Haley
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One of the more memorable moments of the past season was the massive brawl between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Islanders’ Michael Haley fights Penguins’ Max Talbot before taking on Pens’ goaltender Brent Johnson.
He gets to take on Eric Goddard as well, who comes off the bench to help his goaltender.
15. Brent Johnson Versus Rick DiPietro
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Brent Johnson only needed one punch to knock Rick DiPietro down.
Unfortunately, everything hit the fan the next time the two teams faced each other.
14. Ron Hextall Versus Alain Chevrier
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Ron Hextall and Alain Chevrier are tenacious in this fight.
They go down but get back up, ready to go at it again.
13. Glen Hanlon Versus Phil Myre
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(Goalie fight at 3:07 mark)
Once Glen Hanlon maneuvers out of the second Philadelphia Flyer’s reach, he lays a beating on Phil Myre.
12. Dan Cloutier Versus Steve Passmore
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Dan Cloutier gave Steve Passmore a beating.
It looked like a few other Blackhawks wanted a piece of Cloutier, and he would have been happy to oblige, but the linesmen prevented that.
11. Curtis Joseph Versus Tim Cheveldae
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Tim Cheveldae was a third man in on a fight.
Then, Curtis Joseph engages Cheveldae.
10. Byron Dafoe Versus Patrick Lalime
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Byron Dafoe versus Patrick Lalime.
Dafoe takes this fight easily.
9. Felix Potvin Versus Jani Hurme
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Felix Potvin and Jani Hurme go at it during this fight.
Hurme is whacking Potvin with a gloved hand, until his teammates on the bench help him out of his glove.
I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I’m sure I never will again.
8. Corey Schwab Versus Tommy Soderstrom
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Corey Schwab is a much better fighter than Tommy Soderstrom.
Schwab lays the smackdown on Soderstrom in this fight.
7. Ray Emery Versus Josh Gratton
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One of the few goaltender versus skater fights.
Ray Emery beats Josh Gratton.
Emery really enjoys fighting, as evidenced by his post-fight celebration.
6. Garth Snow Versus Steve Shields
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Garth Snow and Steve Shields are so determined to fight each other that they’ll just fight over the linesman if they have to.
Eventually, he has the good sense to step out of the way and let the two go.
5. Dan Cloutier Versus Tommy Salo
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Dan Cloutier gives Tommy Salo a beating in this goalie fight.
Wow.
The taunting of the Islanders bench is a nice finishing touch.
4. Ray Emery Versus Marty Biron and Andrew Peters
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It’s very rare that a goaltender has more than one fight in a season or career.
It is even rarer that a goaltender engages in two fights in one game, back-to-back.
First, Ray Emery takes on Marty Biron. Then, he takes on Andrew Peters.
Looks like Emery enjoyed every moment. We did too.
3. Patrick Roy Versus Chris Osgood
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You would be hard-pressed to find a goalie fight that would be that good or last that long nowadays.
Pretty amazing.
2. Felix Potvin Versus Ron Hextall
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Goalies used to be a lot tougher than they are today.
Here is Felix Potvin and Ron Hextall’s lengthy bout.
1. Patrick Roy Versus Mike Vernon
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There is a massive brawl in this Colorado Avalanche-Detroit Red Wings game.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58887779/108955156.jpg.0.jpg)
Goaltenders Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon drop the gloves too.
Best Goalie Fights – Hockey Fights
The top rated goalie fights ever, as voted by the fans on hockeyfights.com
8.68
Felix Potvin vs. Ron Hextall
Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia Flyers
November 10, 1996
8.57
Patrick Roy vs. Chris Osgood
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
April 01, 1998
8.34
Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
March 26, 1997
8.34
Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings
March 26, 1997
7.99
Dan Cloutier vs. Tommy Salo
New York Rangers at New York Islanders
April 04, 1998
7.59
Mike Smith vs. Cam Talbot
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames
February 01, 2020
7.41
Patrick Lalime vs. Byron Dafoe
Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins
January 17, 2002
7.23
Ryan Miller vs.
Jonathan Bernier
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
September 22, 2013
6.93
Ray Emery vs. Martin Biron
Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres
February 22, 2007
6.76
Garth Snow vs. Steve Shields
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres
May 03, 1997
6.67
Dan Cloutier vs. Steve Passmore
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks
March 03, 2000
6.58
Patrick Lalime vs. Robert Esche
Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers
March 05, 2004
6.57
Rick DiPietro vs. Brent Johnson
New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins
February 02, 2011
6.57
Pasi Nurminen vs. Ty Conklin
Atlanta Thrashers at Edmonton Oilers
February 11, 2004
6.48
Sean Burke vs. Mark Laforest
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
October 23, 1989
6.48
Sean Burke vs. Mark Laforest
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
October 23, 1989
6.
44
Tommy Soderstrom vs. Corey Schwab
New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils
December 09, 1995
6.29
Al Montoya vs. Rick DiPietro
New York Rangers at New York Islanders
September 24, 2007
6.2
Lanny McDonald vs. Billy Smith
Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders
March 15, 1979
6.16
Tomas Vokoun vs. Miikka Kiprusoff
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames
March 20, 2004
6.13
Felix Potvin vs. Jani Hurme
Los Angeles Kings at Ottawa Senators
December 20, 2001
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Top 10 FIFA 23 FUT Goalkeepers
This ranking will feature the very best FIFA 23 FUT goalkeepers, from Edwin Van Der Sar to Petr Cech.
Most FIFA 23 players in the stellar Ultimate Team are looking for the best strikers and wingers as they always aim to score as many goals as possible to guarantee victory. However, you can still win single target games as long as you have someone trustworthy in front of your target to protect your advantage.
It’s not what you would call an elegant approach, but even if he’s not ahead of the curve, a world class goalkeeper is a huge asset for any team.
Building a great defensive line in FIFA Ultimate Team is much cheaper than getting top-notch strikers. With the budget you need for someone like Haaland or Messi, you can easily get a top tier goalkeeper as well as two centre-backs. While it sounds smarter, the defensive style of play is not to everyone’s liking. However, if you still feel like you need to prioritize the very best goalkeepers, you better check out this list.
10 Alban Lafon
24-year-old Ligue 1 star Alban Lafont is already on the radar of some big European clubs, but he’s also one of the spectacular goalkeepers in FIFA 23. That’s especially true if you manage to get his birthday variant. Goalkeepers are generally inexpensive in Ultimate Team, and the birthday version of Lafont is a great catch at just 60,000 coins. With a dive stat of 92 and a reflex stat of 93, Lafon is fairly quick to negate danger from both close and long range.
However, he may not (yet) be quite on par with some of the other great goalkeepers.
- Option: Birthday
- Approximate Price: 60,000 coins
- Features:
- Diving: 92
- Hand treatment: 86
- Kick: 76
- Reflexes: 93
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 89
9 Wojciech Szczesny
The Polish goalkeeper from Juventus has a Centurion card that puts him right in the top ten goalkeepers in FIFA 23. Szczesny may not be as good at diving as Lafon, but he has better reflexes, making him the best option for winning 1v1 opportunities.
Also, it can be tricky to create a Ligue 1 based team without spending millions of coins, so in this case Lafont was placed behind Szczesny despite having more cheap price tag.
- Option: Centurions
- Estimated price: 85,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 90
- Hand control: 86
- Kick: 76
Reflexes: 90
- Speed: 52
- Positioning: 89
8 Gianluigi Donnarumma
If you’re looking for someone slightly better than Lafont in Ligue 1, you can find Paris Saint-Germain’s Donnarumma. This goalkeeper’s TOTW variant offers almost the same performance as Lafon but with better kicking skills.
Donnarumma’s TOTW is more than three times more expensive than Lafon. Honestly, the difference between the two goalkeepers is not worth spending the extra 140,000 coins, unless you insist on having a goalkeeper from the legendary French club.
- Option: Team of the Week
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Stats:
- Diving: 92
- Handling: 86
- Kicking: 82
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 88
7 Mike Maignan
Meignan is another Italian Serie A talent with a perfectly balanced statistic.
The AC Milan goalkeeper is not the best in any of the skills, but he does rank among the best players in his post in almost all of them. A shot statistic of 87 is a rarity among goalkeepers.
If speed is excluded, Menyan’s TOTY card will have 85+ stats in all other skill categories. The French goalkeeper is another available player on this list that will help increase your chances of losing.
- Option: Team of the Year Honorable Mention
- Estimated price: 90,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 87
- Driveability: 85
- Kick: 87
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 87
6 Petr Cech
Chelsea and the legendary Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech is currently an icon in FIFA Ultimate Team.
It offers impressive statistics across the board. With a positioning rating of 92, it’s hard to surprise Cech with long shots outside the box.
Cech looks more like an upgraded version of Menian, but lacks the latter’s famous kicking ability. At the same time, Cech is one of the most affordable options for Premier League squads among the best FIFA 23 goalkeepers.
- Diving: 89
- Driveability: 88
- Kick: 80
- Reflexes: 91
- Speed: 55
- Positioning: 92
5 Peter Schmeichel
With three 90+ stats, Peter Schmeichel’s iconic card in FIFA 23 is even better than the Petr Cech card, although it costs almost the same price. He is only slightly slower than Cech, but speed is not a big deal for a goalkeeper, unless he is in the role of a sweeper, a rare talent indeed.
When it comes to Kicking, Schmeichel is even taller than Maignan. However, apart from this boon, it also offers better reflex and positioning stats. As in real sports, Schmeichel is one of the best.
- Option: badge
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 92
- Hand control: 87
- Kicking: 88
- Reflexes: 94
- Speed: 49
- Positioning: 90
4 Edwin Van Der Sar
Another Manchester United and Premier League star, Edwin Van Der Sar, received the TOTY Icon variant earlier this year. He has an exceptional position rating of 96, which is the highest of any fantastic goaltender on this list.
The
Van Der Sar is like a rock wall against long range attacks, but there’s only one problem, and that’s a big one: its price.
The TOTY van der Sar card is currently one of the rarest goalkeepers on the FIFA 23 transfer market, which does not make him an affordable choice for every player. However, those who have money are unlikely to be disappointed with his game.
- Option: Team of the Year Badge
- Estimated price: 1.5 million coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 87
- Handling: 91
- Kick: 85
- Reflexes: 90
- Speed: 50
- Positioning: 96
3 Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas is the fastest goalkeeper on this list, making him ideal for players looking for a sweeping goalkeeper. With four 90+ stats, Casillas is a priceless icon, and with a price tag equal to that of Donnarumma, Casillas is an absolute booty in terms of the stats he brings to the team.
If you can’ If you can’t afford a Courtois for your La Liga side, Casillas is a great alternative for less than half the amount you have to pay for Courtois.
- Option: Trophy Titans badge
- Estimated price: 200,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 94
- Machining: 91
- Kick: 87
- Reflexes: 96
- Speed: 62
- Position: 92
2 Lev Yashin
Legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin is an icon in FIFA Ultimate Team, always offering superb stats in diving, positioning and reflexes. Barring the Kick ability, Yashin is a great choice for defending the goal from long-range shots.
The
Yashin boasts some of the best diving performance on this list, but it’s not too budget-friendly. Thus, despite its quality, it is important to think twice before getting your hands on it.
As with our final pick, the financial factor is really all that really holds Yashin back. Perhaps the Moments mode will help you?
- Option: badge
- Estimated price: 600,000 coins
- Statistics:
- Diving: 95
- Driveability: 89
- Kick: 75
- Reflexes: 96
- Speed: 60
- Positioning: 95
1 Thibaut Courtois
The King of Melee and 1v1 Salvation, Courtois offers the highest Reflex stat, further backed by impressive handling and positioning skills. If you feel you are too vulnerable to corners and crosses, Courtois can save you the agony of missing one of the dreaded set pieces, as well as penalties and free kicks.
He is the best of the best. when it comes to stopping sudden shots and other maneuvers that can confuse weaker goalkeepers.
However, you will pay a lot of coins to purchase the TOTY variant of this spectacular star.
- Option: Team of the Year
- Estimated price: 700,000 coins
- Features:
- Diving: 90
- Drive: 95
- Kick: 85
- Reflexes: 97
- Speed: 60
- Positioning: 95
Top 10 goalkeepers in Europe who can bet bottoms
14orange
11
You won’t believe it, but Igor is on the list!
The European football season is in full swing! Statistics return to normal, which allows you to use trends as a betting strategy.
Today we will talk about the best goalkeepers of the top 6 championships of the Old World.
When are bets on “total under” in their matches justified? And when can expectations be too high?
A small spoiler: the Russian Championship and the goalkeepers of our teams are among the best on the continent at grassroots rates.
Top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe according to current statistics
National championships in Europe did not start at the same time, different number of matches were played everywhere. Therefore, I take two figures as a basis: the number of matches “at 0” and the percentage of these games from the total number. The data is very curious:
Goalkeeper (club) | 0-0 matches | % of 0-0 matches |
| 9049 4 Benoit Costille (Bordeaux) | 7 | 58% | 7 | 78% |
Alejandro Remiro (Real Sociedad) | 6 | 54% |
Keylor Navas (PSG) | 6 | 75% |
Mike Meignan (Lille) | 6 | 50% |
Igor Akinfeev (CSKA) | 6 | 38% |
Mikhail Kerzhakov (Zenith) | 6 | 38% |
Sergey Pesyakov (Rostov) | 6 | 50% |
Anton Shunin (Dynamo) | 6 | 40% |
Before the last round of the championship France’s sole leader in dry games was Benoit Costil of Bordeaux.
But the goalkeeper failed to cope with the PSG attack and conceded twice. In the next round, “Bordeaux” plays against “Brest”, and Kostil has a chance to defend “at 0” again.
So, Bordeaux – Brest, December 6, 17:00 Moscow time.
1xBet: prediction competition for Lokomotiv’s goals in the Champions League
Russian goalkeepers
Now for the unexpected: five goalkeepers from the Russian Championship in the top 10 best goalkeepers in Europe right now! Of course, you can immediately recall that the RPL is the lowest championship of the European six and generally falls into the study simply as our beloved championship.
But it is worth noting two nuances:
- Until the last round, Mikhail Kerzhakov, the goalkeeper of Zenit, the current champion of Russia, was not in the top 10.
- Marinato Guilherme has an excellent performance not only in the RPL, but also in the Champions League – 4.
3 saves per game on average, 5th place among those who played all matches (4 games).
3 saves per game on average, 5th place among those who played all matches (4 games).Therefore, we pay attention to the RPL match “Zenit” – “Ural” (December 5, beginning at 17:00 Moscow time), where we choose either a bet on the goal of “Ural”, or a slightly more expensive option with “both teams to score”.
Lokomotiv has its next game in the Champions League: at home, Marko Nikolic’s team, which has not yet lost its chances of reaching the playoffs (the only Russian club), will play against Salzburg on December 1 at 20:55 Moscow time. As a bet, let’s play a risky option:
Goalkeepers in trends
You can’t just take the statistics for the current season and say that they are a trend. Digging further, which top ten goaltenders have the best career and last season records in their respective leagues?
Goalkeeper | Career clean sheets | 9001 8% shutouts last season |
Jan Oblak | 77% | 60% |
Igor Akinfeev | 43% | 43% | David Soria | 43% | 39% |
Just think about this figure: 77% of all matches involving Jan Oblak ended with a cracker for the Slovenian goalkeeper! Space!
Atlético Madrid’s defense also plays a big role in Oblak’s statistics, but the goalkeeper should not be forgotten either.
Last season, the Slovenian saved 82 shots out of 105, which is 78% of saves.
As part of the next round of the Spanish Championship, Atlético Madrid will host Valladolid at home (December 5, beginning at 20:30 Moscow time). The opponent is not particularly dangerous, so the odds of bookmakers are not the highest here.
But in the case of Atlético Madrid, one should not be afraid of high quotes for the lack of opponent’s goals – this is an obvious trend.
CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev has long entered the hall of fame not only of Russian football, but also of the world. Over the past 20 years (in the 21st century), the goalkeeper has played 324 matches without conceding goals (data as of November 26, 2020), and the figure continues to grow.
To the third place in the list of the best goalkeepers of the 21st century, Igor Akinfeev lacks only 67 clean sheets (Petr Chekh is located there).
Igor Akinfeev, together with CSKA, will begin to collect the necessary figure on December 3 in Moscow, when he will meet with the Austrian Wolfsberg at 20:55 Moscow time within the framework of the Europa League.
Leaders in saves
It’s one thing when a team has an excellent defensive game and goalkeepers rarely come into action. It is quite another when the goalkeeper has to work hard, pulling out the necessary results for his clubs. Let’s go through the list of leaders in saves in each of the top 5 European leagues + RPL. Enough of the current season – a lot of matches have passed. 9
League (club)
Col -in saves (average)
Sam Johnston
Premier League (West Brom ”)
43 (4.30)
Baptiste Rene
Ligue 1 (Nimes)
90 509
42 (3.50)
Robin Centner
Bundesliga (Mainz)
34 (3.78)
Alessio Cranio
90 509
Serie A (Cagliari)
42 (4.
67)
Jaume Domenech Sanchez
La Liga (Valencia)
41 (3.73)
Alexander Maksimenko 90 003
RPL (Spartak)
63 (3.94)
As you can see, there is neither Oblak, nor Akinfeev, nor anyone else from the list with dry matches. These guys don’t have the best job.
Let’s single out Sam Johnston in this list. West Brom have conceded the most goals in the Premier League so far (18 goals), but if not for the goalkeeper, they would have had a goal – two more on average per match.
West Brom and Johnston have a chance to play at 0 this coming weekend. The team will host Crystal Palace on December 6 at 15:00 Moscow time. Bookmakers are not waiting for productive football, and Sam Johnston is waiting for his only third “cracker” of the season.
