Kinkaid shines in NHL debut (with video)

by Ryan Fay

Former Union standout Keith Kinkaid made his NHL debut during New Jersey's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

After starter Johan Hedberg allowed three goals on 11 shots, Kinkaid came in with just under seven minutes left in the second period and stopped 12 of 13 shots the rest of the way, including a great breakaway save on Tampa star Steven Stamkos at 1:08 of the third period. The only blemish was a screen-aided goal by Nate Thompson at 8:36 of the third. It was Thompson's second of the night.

Tampa's fifth goal was an empty-netter by B.J Crombeen with 20 seconds left in the third.

Kinkaid saw 25:45 worth of action, and the only other Union goaltender to see action in the NHL was Steve Baker, who played in parts of four seasons for the Rangers between 1979-1983.

New Jersey resumes play Thursday at home against Buffalo, but according to Devils beat man Rich Chere, the struggling Hedberg will be starting despite Kinkaid's strong debut.

VIDEO: Kinkaid stones Stamkos:

Getting to know Union legend Steve Baker

Baker won 20 games with the Rangers

Steve Baker is probably the most famous in the history of Union College hockey. Why? Because he is the first player from Union to make it to the NHL where he played for the New York Rangers from 1979 to 1983. He is also the only Union alumni to have more than "a cup of coffee" in the pros. The others are Mario Giallonardo '76 (23 games with Colorado Rockies 1979-1981) and Duane Joyce '85 (three games with Dallas Stars.

Baker is also important in Union hockey history because he was the goalie during the Ned Harkness fiasco when he was forced to resign. Baker, along with his teammate, refused to play when Harkness was forced out. Union's JV team had to finish out the varsity team's schedule.

Recently, Mark Malinowski of the The Hockey News interviewed Baker. While he does not mention his time at Union, it's still a pretty interesting story. You can read it here.