If adversity brings out a player's true colors, then consider the No. 1 Penn State ACHA Div. I Icers' goaltending situation a prime example.
Freshman goalie Chris Matteo, who just two weekends ago wowed everyone in victories over then No. 5 Ohio, had his hands full again last weekend.
With blue and white pom poms, that is.
With the goalie carousel stopping on senior Brian Gratz and junior Scott Blackman this weekend, Matteo was relegated to the role of cheerleader, a situation he said he didn't mind, as long as his fellow goalies helped the team to spell out W-I-N.
"Honestly, I was happy as heck for the guys. They have both been working their tails off [in practice]," Matteo said. "They've been nothing but supportive and happy for me and we generally feel happy for each other."
So a situation that once could have turned ugly and split the team apart has now turned into a love fest of sorts, with all three goalies getting into the mix.
And for now, everyone is happy to support whoever is in the net.
"It's definitely everyone pushing each other," Gratz said. "I mean, when [Matteo] was playing against Ohio, I was his biggest cheerleader. And [Friday night], Chris was jumping on me every period. We're so supportive of each other."
Both goalies provided their teammates with all the support they would need between the pipes, allowing only one goal each. Gratz saw more action in a 10-1 win over SUNY-Buffalo, stopping 22 of 23 shots, including several breakaway opportunities.
Meanwhile, Blackman was made to watch in Saturday's 3-1 victory over No. 16 Drexel, as the Icers outshot their opponent 52-16, leaving Blackman little opportunity to impress the coaches.
Call it a case of the double-edged sword, and Blackman swallowed it well.
"It's good to know [Penn State Icers coach Joe Battista] still has faith in me," Blackman said. "I would have liked to face more shots but for me, I just wanted to win the game."
And that they did, extending their record to 9-0-0 and cementing their No. 1 ranking in the process.
As for choosing between the three, they know that day is not too far off in the distance, and each insists they want what is best for the team, which would be a fifth straight national title.
However, friendly competition aside, each wants to be labeled the top guy:
"It is always tough to sit and watch," Matteo said about this weekend. "I just think right now I'm in a zone and I'm confident I can play anybody and play well."
"I felt confident about Friday and felt I played pretty well," Gratz said. "I think by the end of the game I was flying high."
"I thought I played well and was happy to get the start," Blackman said. "It was a big game for us."
There will be plenty more big games to come for the Icers, including this weekend's home-and-home with No. 14 Towson followed by a Sunday afternoon tilt at No. 15 West Chester.
Battista said the dark clouds that had surrounded the goaltending situation before the season have cleared up nicely. However, he said he would not forecast the future until that time comes.
The only thing he knows for sure is that he runs a meritocracy, and may the best goalie win.
"We still feel Chris has a bit of an edge and I think the other two are close behind him," Battista said. "In the end somebody is going to be happy and somebody is not. We hope they make it a friendly competition."
Mission accomplished. So far.
