Laurent Brossoit says he had a little extra motivation when the fans of the opposing team - and his former club - tried to get under his skin Monday night.
The Vegas Golden Knights goaltender got the last laugh after fans at Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre derisively serenaded the ex-Jets netminder with his name and chants of "You're a backup."
Brossoit stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 4-2 victory that gave Vegas a 3-1 series lead and pushed Winnipeg to the brink of elimination in their first-round playoff series.
"Oh yeah, I could hear them," Broissoit said postgame. "Honestly, it's just fuel. When you have that many people chanting your name, whether it's positive or negative, it's fuel."
Winnipeg crowd chants “You’re a backup!” at Laurent Brossoit pic.twitter.com/qQFH3B99wA
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 25, 2023
"(It) didn't really seem like much fazed him," Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore said. "I know the crowd was kind of getting on him there, but he's a fantastic goalie, and he's on his game right now."
Brossoit played three seasons for the Jets as Connor Hellebuyck's backup from 2018 to 2021. Broissoit is in his second campaign with the Golden Knights, who signed the 30-year-old as a free agent in July 2021.
He took over as Vegas' starter in the wake of injuries to Logan Thompson and Adin Hill. Brossoit himself spent time on long-term injured reserve and played 23 AHL games in addition to 11 with the Golden Knights this season.
The B.C.-born puck-stopper went 7-0-3 with a .927 save percentage at the NHL level this year prior to the playoffs. He has a .902 clip to go along with a 3-1 record in the postseason.
