Just days after recording his first Western Hockey League shutout, the Calgary Hitmen goaltender followed it up with a stellar 36-save performance, including a fantastic cross-crease save in overtime to set up the game-winner against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday.
With the 3-2 win, the Winnipeg native improved to 20-19-5-1 and reached a .900 save percentage on the year, which would mark a career best in three seasons with Calgary if the schedule ended today.
Buenaventura’s play has not gone unnoticed league-wide, as he was recognized as the WHL goaltender of the week, recording a .950 save percentage and two wins, including Sunday’s 2-0 shutout over the host Medicine Hat Tigers in which he turned aside 32 shots.
Despite his excitement towards the honour, Buenaventura has a bigger goal in his sights.
“My job’s not done,” said the 19-year-old. “I’ve still got to stop the puck here and get some wins and push here for the final playoff spot.”
Buenaventura has been playing at the top of his game at a key time for the Hitmen, who sit two points back of the Prince Albert Raiders for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot and are three points back of the seventh-place Lethbridge Hurricanes. Calgary has seven games remaining in its regular season; Prince Albert and Lethbridge both have eight.
The Hitmen are 3-2 in their last five games and Buenaventura has been an X-factor, posting a .914 save percentage in that span.
“Ethan’s been unreal, just keeping us in every single game,” said Hitmen veteran Oliver Tulk, who scored both the tying goal in the final minute of regulation and the winner in overtime seconds after Buenaventura stretched out to stop a glorious chance by the Wheat Kings. “I haven’t seen him play bad probably since the start of the year, so I’m really proud of him.”
Buenaventura is stepping up despite having a bigger workload after the team lost backup goaltender Alex Garrett to an injury in mid-February. Buenaventura has started the past seven contests, stopping 233 of his last 257 shots. But the rising star knows he has to keep his head in the game if he wants to keep this streak going.
“I think just for me, it’s just staying in the moment,” said a confident Buenaventura. “And then obviously recovery. I’ve never played this much in my career, so just getting my mind right for each game.”
With the backup being a 15-year-old Eric Tu, the Hitmen will need their starting goaltender to continue his dominance.
For Hitmen fans enjoying the ride, there may be cause of concern that there will be fatigue for the young netminder, but Buenaventura assured head coach Steve Hamilton he’s willing to push himself.
“I asked him in Medicine Hat how he was on Sunday, and he said, ‘A little tired, but I’ll dig in,’ ” said Hamilton, with a smile. “That’s kind of exactly what he’s done for us is dig in.”
Buenaventura has also become a leader in the locker-room. He’s one of the older players for a Hitmen team that has gotten younger, with an average age of 17.8.
“As an older guy, younger guys can lean on me — and it’s been good,” Buenaventura said. “I like the opportunity that I’ve been given to be a leader.”
The puck-stopper added that the leaders he has played with helped him grow into the role, citing Brayden Peters as a big part of his development.
Peters played parts of five seasons with the Hitmen ending in 2022-23, posting a .904 save percentage, seven shutouts and a 64-58-9 record. As Peters’ backup for parts of two campaigns, Buenaventura posted a .890 save percentage with a 16-26-8 record.
“I learned a lot from him (Peters) over the past years,” said Buenaventura. “I kind of want to be like him.”
The Hitmen will look to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot Friday. as they take on the Red Deer Rebels at the Saddledome (7 p.m.). For a young team which many had expected a regression after a multitude of trades, the young guns have fought hard to stay in the race.
“Sixty-one games into the year and we’re still in the dogfight for the playoffs,” Hamilton said. “We moved our captain, we moved our leading scorer, and all these kids have done is respond and rise up to the challenge.”
With Buenaventura right at the top of that charge.
Hamilton added that the team emphasis in the locker-room is to take it one game at a time, stating there is no point in looking ahead to something that is seven games from now.
