One week ago, Shane Connelly was an inexperienced freshman backing up Brian Elliott, a goalie many consider the best in college hockey. Today, Connelly is the starting goalie for the nation's No. 2 team, gearing up for a weekend series against No. 4 Minnesota, who also happens to be in second place in the WCHA, four points behind the first place Badgers.
Connelly took over the starting role last week, after Elliott sprained his ankle in a Wednesday practice.
In his collegiate debut last Friday, Connelly gave up just one goal on 23 shots in a losing effort to Denver. In his second game on Saturday, he gave up four goals, and with his team giving him only two goals in offensive support, he suffered his second loss in as many tries.
The losses to Denver have not hurt Connelly's confidence though, and with experience under his belt he is ready to take on the Gophers.
'Now I have the real flow of game day and I'm up to speed during the game and everything like that,' Connelly said. 'I've had two good days of practice and a lot more confidence after the weekend, and I'm just real excited for another chance at Minnesota.'
Connelly, at just 18 years old'he turns 19 in March'is from Cheltenham, Penn. and spent his last two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he compiled respectable numbers in a highly offensive league.
Most impressive about his numbers, is that he performed considerably better in the playoffs.
In the 2004-05 season his save percentage went from .911 in the regular season to .932 in the playoffs. His goals-against average went from 2.99 in the regular season to 2.10 in the playoffs.
'I really just, come playoff time, tried to focus, but now you come to college and every game is a big game so I'm trying to take my experience in the playoffs and really help myself out here this weekend,' Connelly said.
If big games like the playoffs are where Connelly likes to shine, this weekend's sold-out series should be the perfect stage for him.
'[Last] weekend is no doubt the biggest two games I've ever played in,' Connelly said.
The team has moved on from last weekends sweep at the hands of Denver, and will apply the lessons they learned in the sweep to this weekend's series with Minnesota, according to head coach Mike Eaves.
'I would perceive these young men to be intelligent enough to learn lessons and move forward and I think they're more comfortable with Shane and they know what he can do,' Eaves said.
Badger fans are still talking about Connelly's miraculous save behind his back in Saturday's game against Denver; the save garnered enough attention to now be posted on the University's official athletic website.
'It feels pretty good to get all the attention,' Connelly said. 'It's cool that people really enjoyed the save and it's a little confidence booster.'
Connelly would be hard pressed to find a better team in front of him anywhere in the country, and after his strong performances last weekend his teammates have confidence in him as well.
'He's just more relaxed out there and he knows that we've got great offensive skill and we can put goals in,' senior defenseman Tom Gilbert said. 'He knows whatever happens, we're going to back him up so his confidence level has gotten a lot better, and so has our confidence in him.'
Connelly said he doesn't believe in superstitions, because he doesn't like to be off-beat if something goes wrong. He does, however, believe in a routine, and said he does the same things before every game, including listening to his iPod.
'Right now Linkin Park is playing on my iPod. Before games it's Linkin Park, Trapt, a little rap and Papa Roach, but mostly Linkin Park.'
