For the last two years, the UW men's hockey team has had the luxury of having two goaltenders who could split time in the net for the Badgers. Scott Kabotoff and current junior goaltender Bernd Br??ckler played 20 and 24 games last year, respectively In the 2001-'02 season, they played 24 and 18, respectively. The duo has given Wisconsin the option of using either netminder depending on the situation.
Now that Kabotoff has graduated, the job belongs solely to Br??ckler. The 6'1\ junior goaltender from Graz, Austria, has started five of Wisconsin's first six games so far this year. In those games he has compiled a 2-3 record, a 2.92 goals against average and a .885 save percentage in leading the Badgers to wins over Quinnipiac and Nebraska-Omaha. Being the top dog in net this year, Bernd knows he has an added sense of responsibility, and he's trying to prove it with his play on the ice.
""You have to be ready night in and night out,"" Br??ckler said. ""You know that a lot is coming at you, there's a lot of pressure. You have to get yourself mentally and physically ready and just be there for your team every night.""
With this year being Br??ckler's junior year with the Badgers, the goalie has acquired two years of valuable collegiate experience. This has equated to two years of personal improvement as well. And according to his coach and teammates, Br??ckler is not the same goalie who came into Wisconsin as a freshman.
""He's learning to play out further in the crease,"" Badgers Head Coach Mike Eaves said. ""I think his puckhandling has improved over the time that we've been with him, and I think his ability to concentrate over a period of time.""
""He's more vocal,"" senior defenseman Dan Boeser added, ""and he sees the ice better so he can help us out. He talks to us a lot more when we're coming back and he plays the puck a lot better now.""
Br??ckler's improved play does more than just help himself, though. Having an experienced goaltender in the crease has been extremely helpful for Bernd's teammates so far this year. Boeser agrees that he has additional confidence with an experienced goaltender like Br??ckler behind him at all times.
""It makes a really big difference if you have somebody behind you that you're comfortable with,"" Boeser said. ""It helps out a lot.""
Though the thought of being the number one guy in the net could be overwhelming for some, Br??ckler has taken the responsibility with ease. He admits that there is some added pressure, but assures that he will always be performing at his best to give the Badgers a chance to win in every game.
""The team needs to be able to rely on me and trust in me and know that I'm going to be there for them,"" Br??ckler said. ""They can really focus on their job and know that, defensively, we're going to be alright.\
