North Iowa Bulls goaltender Matt Bartels from Ontario, California has been in this position before and is ready for the challenge. Bartels led the Bulls charge last season in the playoffs and was outstanding, posting a .939 save percentage.
"Barty" is a goaltender who goes about his business in a mostly quiet manner, and he simply lets his stellar play do the talking. Matt led the NA3HL in victories with 25 on the campaign to go with a very respectable .914 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA, combined with 3 shutouts on the season.
"Barty has a calming effect to this team, he rarely ever displays emotion while playing and is very steady in his demeanor both on and off the ice, which is not your typical goaltender," noted Head Coach/GM Todd Sanden. Bartels and the Bulls will be banking on his previous playoff experience and superb abilities to be the main horse in the Bulls playoff run this season.
The Bulls and Bartels will begin their "Stampede to the Silver Cup" tomorrow night at the Barn for Game 1 of the West Division Playoffs against the Minnesota Flying Aces. Game 2 will be Saturday evening and both games start at 7:30pm. Let's Go Bulls!
