(left) Marc Cheverie prevents a goal on a Penticton breakaway.
One goalie's misfortune is another's opportunity. You can apply that hockey axiom to what's been going on inside the Nanaimo Clippers' crease this season.
Unheralded rookie Michael Garman has seemingly wrestled No. 1 netminder status away from struggling sophomore Marc Cheverie.
Cheverie, a Florida Panthers' draft pick with a scholarship waiting for him at the University of Denver, watched from the bench last weekend as Garman back-stopped Nanaimo to two wins in a home-and-home series with the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
It was just the latest disappointment in what has been an admittedly disappointing season for Cheverie.
The Nova Scotia product has won nine games but sports an unflattering 3.45 goals-against-average.
In his last start, a 5-5 tie with the Penticton Vees on Nov. 27, he allowed five goals on just 17 shots.
His 0.862 save percentage is among the lowest in the league.
Those aren't numbers you'd expect from a NHL prospect.
"It's been pretty frustrating. I definitely haven't lived up to my expectations or to anyone else's," Cheverie said, who is at a loss to figure out what's wrong with his game this season. "It must be my focus or something mental because there is nothing physical. It's not like I'm not in shape. But something is not right."
While Cheverie struggles to find his old form, Garman gets better with each start.
The 19-year-old from Colorado has won 13 of his 16 starts and carries a 2.85 GAA and 0.896 save percentage.
All this from a guy who was essentially a training camp walk-on.
Coach Bill Bestwick extended Garman an invitation to camp based solely on the recommendation of former Clippers goalie Terry Kleisinger.
"It's definitely a case of good luck over good management," Bestwick said of Garman's addition to the lineup. "We are extremely thrilled with Michael Garman and how he has improved. It's always a bonus when you have two players you know are extremely capable."
Garman, who played for Springfield, Ill. of the North American Hockey League last season, was surprised he received both starts against Cowichan. He enjoyed the additional ice time but isn't totally comfortable that it came at the expense of a slumping teammate.
"Competition (between goalies) is healthy because it forces you to be better but you never wish bad luck on the other guy," Garman said.
"Naturally, you want to push each but it's important that you support each other too. You can't really rely on just one goalie."
The extra playing time, however, his improved his stock with university recruiters. Garman says he is currently in serious talks with an Ivy League school.
Cheverie, to his credit, doesn't begrudge Garman anything.
Even though he entered the season expecting to get the majority of starts, Cheverie admits Garman has been the better of the two netminders so far this year.
"I'm not saying I expected (to split games) . . . I'm definitely disappointed with how I've performed," said Cheverie. "I'm not upset that Garman is getting the ice time because he deserves it."
Bestwick, who will start Cheverie in Langley on Thursday, is certain that sooner or later his second-year goaltender will pull out of his funk.
"He's been pretty inconsistent and he knows that as well as anybody. It's no different from a forward in a scoring slump . . . all you can do is battle through it," said Bestwick. "I know it's difficult for him not to feel as though he isn't meeting expectations for himself and his teammates. But he'll get over it. He's a very strong willed and determined young man. He'll be fine."
Cheverie isn't panicking either.
"I'm not writing myself off," said Cheverie. "I'll get it back . . . I just have to keep a positive attitude."
4 comments:
Sounds like he needs a goaltending coach to help straighten him out. Coming to DU next year should help him especially as he will primarily get to sit and observe Mannino in his Senior year as well as get extensive coaching from the DU staff
Sounds like he's got a postive mental attitude and how he handles the situation is more important than being demoted. Hopefully he'll take it as a challange.
You have to be concerned that he's struggling - a highly recruited player like that needs to be mastering the junior game, not struggling with it.
That said, I do love his attitude -very mature outlook. Let's hope he gets straightened out. I'm sure DU is following him closely and will be prepared.
sieve!
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