The goaltender carousel is finally coming to a stop -- more than two years after it began.

Sophomore transfer Paul Mammola is in the midst of cementing the starting role -- and ending the two-season-long ride. In the last four outings, Mammola has allowed only six goals on 120 shots.

According to coach Joe Battista, as long as Mammola continues to perform solidly, then the starting job is his.

"At some point, you gotta name a No. 1, a No. 2 and a No. 3," Battista said. "And we're getting there."

While most players would dwell on the position battle, the exact opposite is true of the Penn State ACHA Division I Icers.

"There's a friendly rivalry there that needs to be less friendly," Battista said.

Mammola described himself and fellow goalie Chris Matteo as "laid-back guys," but Battista is afraid that may lead to a lack of intensity on the ice.

"You can be good friends and battle," he said. "When [Mammola] first got here, his father said to me, 'I raised a good young man. But he sometimes is too nice of a guy.' We gotta get him to be that eye of the tiger."

Battista believed Mammola played best when he was angry and used November's game against Rhode Island as an example. Mammola was uncharacteristically vocal and played flawlessly toward a 0-0 tie.

While Mammola has gradually improved, Matteo is currently attempting to break out of a slump. He conceded nine scores in four periods of play. Still, he's trying to remain optimistic.

"I'll help the team in whatever capacity," Matteo said.

And with the possibility of playing four games in four days at the national championship tournament, the thought of a 1-2 goalie punch doesn't seem so bad. Even if Mammola does clinch the starting spot, Matteo will most certainly see action at the national tournament. It wouldn't be out of the question to play two games within hours of each other.

Mammola has also quietly climbed the statistical ladder in the ACHA. He's ranked in the top 10 in save percentage (minimum 750 minutes) and is ranked fourth in goals against average -- allowing 2.25 goals per game.

"My mindset's pretty much the same," Mammola said. "I just want to play well for the team every night."

When asked just how well the friendship was holding up, Mammola said: "The kid is sitting in front of me and taking a picture of me right now, I think that pretty much [says it]."