LetsGoDU

Fish Steps Up

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

The University of Denver's goaltending platoon system over the past two seasons seemed to have its flaws. Peter Mannino outperformed Glenn Fisher regularly, and their decisive differences in goals-against averages and save percentages proved it.

With the season on the line in 2005 and 2006, Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky went with the stats, playing Mannino five out of six times. Mannino produced, going 4-1 in elimination playoff games, while Fisher's only big-game appearance was a sketchy 5-4 overtime win against Bemidji State in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.

So when Gwozdecky announced before this season that he wanted to scrap the platoon by identifying the No. 1 guy and playing him regularly, Mannino seemed to be the obvious front- runner.

But Fisher has changed things by putting up career numbers, and the senior likely will start tonight against Michigan Tech to begin a two-game series at Magness Arena.

Fisher, who shut out Wisconsin 2-0 last Friday to begin a big two-game road sweep, is 4-2 with a 2.14 goals-against average and a WCHA-leading .931 save percentage. Mannino (2-2), a junior, and has a 2.88 GAA and .901 save percentage. The 2005 Frozen Four MVP likely will start Saturday night - not because Gwozdecky has returned to the platoon system, but because the No. 1 job remains unsettled.

"They have forced my decision to play them both right now, and it's a good decision to have," Gwozdecky said. "The only constant we have is our goaltending. I like how our team is coming around, but we still have our lapses. When we've had our lapses, our goaltenders have been there."

Fisher credits increased confidence and preparation for his stellar play thus far, and said Gwozdecky's decision to take away guaranteed playing time gave him a "wake-up call."

"My mental game has been stronger than (in) my first three years, and I've just been able to play the game and give the team a chance to win with confidence," he said. "When (Gwozdecky) told us about the change of plans in April, it brought a certain level of competitiveness that maybe wasn't here before."

"It kick-started Glenn," Gwozdecky said, "and it motivated both Glenn and Peter. Knowing their role and playing time was at stake, I think it really hammered home to them that they had to get better.

"Right now, both guys are playing very well. It's everything you would want to have with stability in goal."