Could there be a ""Shane Connelly effect""? When the sophomore goalie starts in goal for the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team, good results seem to be in store for UW (8-9-1 WCHA, 11-13-2 overall).
In four games this season, Connelly has posted numbers that suggest a bright future in net once senior Brian Elliott finishes his own noteworthy collegiate career. Overall, Connelly is allowing under one goal per game (.98), has a head-turning save percentage (94.8) and owns a 3-0-1 record.
Any number of factors could explain Connelly's success in his second season as a Badger. For his part, head coach Mike Eaves sees it as a matter of gaining confidence in practice and simply translating that poise to games.
""We love the fact that he looks like he's getting more confident,"" Eaves said.
Connelly's latest start came Saturday in a game players labeled a ""must-win,"" following a night in which Minnesota State tagged the Badgers with a 3-1 loss. Connelly turned away 17 of 18 shots. Eaves called it the best game he's seen Connelly play.
""I thought from ... just a positional play, in his crease, that this was his best game,"" he said. ""The last game that he played where he did get a shutout (Dec. 30 vs. Providence), he looked like a couple times he made a save and was flopping on his fanny a couple times. This game, I didn't see that. So positionally, he had good control, was right where he needed to be.""
With the Badgers playing inconsistently, at best this season, questions have arisen over whether to give Connelly more playing time. Eaves said Monday that Elliott would start Friday night against Colorado College. Depending on ""how we feel,"" Eaves said, Connelly may get his fifth start of the year Saturday.
Questions about the ""Shane Connelly effect"" have also been posed to players, who say not much changes when they have a different goalie behind them.
""I don't know if we play any differently,"" senior forward Jake Dowell said after Saturday's game. ""We have all the confidence in the world with Shane. It's awesome to be out there and have all the trust in the world in him. I don't think it's going to make a difference if Shane's in or if Brian's in, the way we can play.""
In his last three starts, Connelly has eased the pain of a loss the previous night. It is that sort of pressure situation in which he says he thrives.
""I just get excited to know that the team's going to need someone to step up in the back, to keep them in the game,"" he said. ""I just get excited whenever a game [like last Friday's] happens, then I get a chance to play Saturday.""
