Two years after NHL debut, Wolves goalie Dylan Ferguson wins first AHL appearance

Goalie Dylan Ferguson waited a long time to celebrate like he did Sunday.

Just after Milwaukee’s Cole Schneider whiffed on his shot to clinch the Wolves’ 3-2 shootout victory, Ferguson excitedly pumped his fists. It was the easiest stop of Ferguson’s day, but the moment was still worth savoring.

“I was pretty fired up,” Ferguson said. “I couldn’t help it. It’s been a long road to get here. It was fun.”

With Oscar Dansk up with the Vegas Golden Knights and Garret Sparks resting after playing Friday and Saturday, the Wolves started the 21-year-old Ferguson.

Sunday was Ferguson’s first pro appearance since Nov. 14, 2017, when he played his lone game for the Golden Knights, who were battling multiple injuries in net.

Ferguson, who came on in relief of Maxime Lagace, had been summoned to Vegas on an emergency basis and soon was sent back to Kamloops in the junior Western Hockey League.

Then came Sunday, when he made 35 saves, despite allowing two goals in the first period.

“Fergie played awesome,” said forward Patrick Brown, who scored twice and connected in the shootout. “He kept us in it the whole game. We were down early. It could have been a lot more than it was. I thought for a guy to step in and get his first AHL win, it was huge.”

Understandably, Ferguson was a little too fired up at the start. And after the second Milwaukee goal, he was reminded by the Wolves’ bench to breathe, calm down and play.

“After that, I kind of cleared my mind and did what I could,” Ferguson said.

Dansk is with the Golden Knights because of an injury to backup Malcolm Subban. When Subban returns, Dansk likely will return to the Wolves and push Ferguson to Fort Wayne in the ECHL, where he can continue his development.

“It was a first step of a foundation of many positive steps to come,” Wolves coach Rocky Thompson said. “I think he’s confident, and I think that’s one of his biggest strengths. He doesn’t let the moment kind of take control of his emotions. He’s in great control. People would call that a gamer. They love playing. It doesn’t matter the situation. If you’re under a big spotlight, they just want to play. That’s important.”

On perhaps the most important shot of the day, Ferguson got a break. He wasn’t complaining, and maybe he earned it.

“It’s kind of a gift from the hockey gods there,” Ferguson said. “It’s a great feeling, and it’s a great way to get my first pro win.”

NOTE: Daniel Carr, who was the 2018-19 AHL MVP with the Wolves, was assigned to Milwaukee on Saturday. He had one shot Sunday and was stopped in the shootout.