“A goaltender is a team’s best penalty killer” (hockey adage)

A hockey team puts out its best defensemen to kill penalties, but its most crucial penalty killer is its goalie. “Your best penalty-killer is your goalie” was said by Philadelphia Flyers coach Terry Murray in 1995. “Your best penalty killer is your goaltender” was said by Anaheim Mighty Ducks coach Ron Wilson in 1996.
 
“It’s become a cliché in hockey to say that a goaltender is a team’s best penalty killer, but Fields proved the theory once again” was cited in print in 2003.
   
   
Google News Archive
12 October 1995, The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA), “Hextall stymies Capital power play, assists on game winner” by John F. Bonfatti (AP Sports Writer),  pg. B3, col. 2:
“Your best penalty-killer is your goalie, and Hexy came up with some great saves,” coach Terry Murray said.
   
17 November 1996, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), “NHL Notes,” Sports, pg. 13, col. 4:
“I think a lot of it has to do with goaltending,” said Ducks coach Ron Wilson. “As save percentages go up, it gets harder to score. Your best penalty killer is your goaltender.”
 
Google News Archive
23 January 2001, Kentucky New Era (Hopkinsville, KY), “Rangers have unfamiliar results” by Ira Podell (AP Sports Writer), pg. B2, col. 1:
“Your goaltender is always your best penalty killer and Cechmanek made some outstanding saves,” Kings coach Andy Murray said of Cechmanek, who made 13 saves in the third period—including several on three Kings power plays.
     
Inside College Hockey
February 10, 2003
Trio leads Terriers to 25th Beanpot title
By Juan Martinez
(...)
It’s become a cliché in hockey to say that a goaltender is a team’s best penalty killer, but Fields proved the theory once again.
   
The Augusta (GA) Chronicle
Originally created 10/17/03
Lynx’s potential should deliver strong season
By Staff Writer
(...)
Then again, they say a goalie is a team’s best penalty killer.
 
20 April 2005, The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), “Crunch Lacked NHL Help,” pg. D-2, cols. 4-5:
Since a team’s best penalty killer is usually its goalie, it’s no surprise that opposing power plays fattened up at the expense of the Crunch.
 
Jaspers’ Rink (Washington Capitals blog)
Your Best Penalty Killer
By J.P.  @JapersRink on Dec 22 2008, 3:49p
As cliche as it is, there’s truth to the old hockey-ism that in order to survive shorthanded, a team’s goalie must be its best penalty killer.
       
Orange County (CA) Register
Penalty killing proves critical for Ducks
It’s a major reason the Mighty Ducks have won two playoff series.
By DAN WOOD / The Orange County Register
Published: May 17, 2006 Updated: Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.
(...)
A common hockey axiom is that a goalie is a team’s best penalty-killer.
 
Ottawa (Ontario) Citizen
Best defence is a good offence
Team numbers looking good for Senators despite fact they’ve only been marginally better in goals-against department
Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, March 02, 2012
(...)
If a goalie is a team’s “best penalty killer,” as the cliché goes, he is also the defenceman’s best friend.
   
The Republican (Springfield, MA)
Springfield Falcons edge Worcester Sharks 2-1
By Jason Remillard | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
on March 22, 2013 at 10:05 PM, updated March 22, 2013 at 10:09 PM
SPRINGFIELD - The old hockey adage that the goaltender is a team’s best penalty killer certainly rings true for the Springfield Falcons.
 
Twitter
Jim Costa
‏@JimCostaCMU
@dtmleach You know what they say…your goalie has to be your best penalty killer.
9:42 PM - 15 Oct 2014