Habs goaltender Michael McNiven rips into Laval Rocket over his place on the team

It's not often you hear a player criticize their team openly and harshly, but goaltender Michael McNiven really went on a rant in a recent interview. McNiven is a member of the Montreal Canadiens playing for the Laval Rocket of the AHL. He's coming off a 29 save shutout against the Providence Bruins, but had a bad outing in the game before, when he was pulled after letting in three goals in 21 shots.

Ok, let's talk about it," said the 24-year-old when asked about the game against Providence.

"I was playing despite an injury. I asked to be taken out of the game, the coaches left me there and we allowed three goals. So before you say I had an excruciating game, it wasn't an excruciating game."

"I don't know why they didn't replace me. I could barely move from post to post at this time. I don't think the coaches suspected it was that much worse, in fact I dare to hope. The trainer told me to stay in the game if I felt fit, but I said no. I had been asking to be taken out of there for ten minutes."

McNiven said he had cramps during the game. He apparently also has a real issue with playing second fiddle to fellow goaltender Cayden Primeau.

"I haven't been told anything, but everyone has eyes, it's not hard to see. It's always the same thing. Cayden is their guy. I have to keep working and doing the best I can, but at the end of the day, it's hard when you know the dice are loaded," he said.

"I signed here almost eight years ago (it was actually six) and I have always been in the same position. Every time they've given me a goal to hit I have surpassed it, but they keep pushing me behind the line. This is just how it works here."

So far, Primeau has started four of the Rocket's six games this season. His goals against average is 2.66 and his save percentage is .912. McNiven has a 1.94 goals against average and a .940 save percentage. Asked if he thought he could force the hand of his coaches by having good games, he sighed and appeared to be skeptical.

"You could say that's what I've been doing every season here. In my first two seasons my numbers might not have been where I wanted them to be, but from the big picture I feel like I've done my part and deserve a chance. But I guess I'll just wait for that day to come."

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