Elvis Merzlikins has some hops.
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ netminder displayed some incredible athleticism in an NHL game Saturday night. Merzlikins leaped over a teammate who was bowling towards him in his goal crease.
The sequence unfolded in a game between Boston and Columbus at Nationwide Arena. During the second period, Bruins’ forward Brad Marchand broke in on the Columbus net against two Blue Jackets’ defenseman.
Marchand took out Jackets’ defenseman Zach Werenski as he tried to score, sending the Columbus d-man flying towards his goalie. Merzlikins showed incredible athleticism as he reacted quickly and leaped over the incoming Werenski.
Merzlikins reaction time couldn’t have been better. The goalie also gets full marks for sticking the landing. Merzlikins landing after the jump was something out of a superhero movie.
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The Blue Jackets wound up losing the game in a shootout, but Merzlikins’ vertical leap won’t be forgotten. The height on the jump was ridiculously impressive for a goalie wearing full equipment.
Merzlikins is currently having his best NHL season to date, posting a 19-14-2 record with a .904 save percentage and 3.41 GAA. He can add an impressive vertical leap to his end-of-year highlight reel.