Gerald Coleman is the ECHL's reigning Goaltender of the Year, and already this hockey season he has been named the minor-league circuit's Goaltender of the Month for October and twice been selected Goaltender of the Week.
Despite his 10 consecutive starts to open the season, he will not be Goaltender Of Every Single Alaska Aces Game.
A generous early-season schedule -- eight home games in the club's first 10 matches, and all those games in a stretch of 23 days -- has allowed Coleman to remain fresh and productive. He's 7-3-0 with a 1.69 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and one shutout.
But with the Aces facing their first grind of three games in three nights, beginning with Friday's series opener against visiting Ontario, and an eight-game road trip looming after that, Coleman will get a break soon.
Aces coach Rob Murray said Adam Courchaine, who teamed with Coleman in the Aces' run to the Kelly Cup last season, will make his first start of the season in the Ontario series.
Courchaine reported to the Aces last week after being assigned to them by the NHL's Boston Bruins for the second straight season. He spent a short spell with Providence of the American Hockey League prior to his assignment. That came after he missed Providence's training camp for personal reasons.
The Aces last week played three games against visiting Bakersfield in four nights, which afforded Coleman a short break between games and allowed Courchaine some much needed practice time.
Murray said Courchaine will get worked into the mix this weekend.
"I wasn't ready to use him last week because he only skated three times in Providence, and with him not going to training camp, that was his only experience,'' Murray said. "Now, he's got a week under his belt and I feel better about it.''
Not that the Aces' first-year coach is anything but happy about Coleman's play.
"He's been solid,'' Murray said. "Goaltender of the Month and twice Goaltender of the Week -- you can't ask for more.''
Coleman's streak of 10 straight starts is the second-longest of his career. He made 16 straight starts for ECHL Trenton in 2008-09 and went 13-2-1 in that stretch. On his current streak, he caught a break from the schedule.
"It's been nice because we've had all these home games,'' Coleman said. "The physical part hasn't been terribly difficult. The hardest part is mentally, trying to get mentally prepared for every game.
"Utah was the toughest. The first away games are tough. Then there's the (thin) air (at altitude), and they're pretty good, and it was the first time I faced more than 30 shots.''
Still, Coleman said he's excited to about Courchaine's return, not only because it strengthens the Aces, but also because Courchaine provides him competition and makes him remain sharp.
"He looks in great shape, looks like the same kid,'' Coleman said. "I'm behind him 100 percent. It's going to be a battle, and Adam has the ability to carry a team. He proved that last year.''
With Coleman on promotion to AHL Peoria last season, Courchaine made nine consecutive starts and went 7-1-1.
Courchaine last season for the Aces went 17-7-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and four shutouts -- the latter tied Coleman for the league lead. He won the one playoff game he started, and that 35-save performance in a 6-2 win at Victoria on April 30 marks the last time he played in a game, so he's ready to roll.
"I'm excited,'' Courchaine said. "There's always that thought in the back of your head that first games don't always go well, but I'm going in with a positive attitude, feeling very confident.''
Shuffling the deck
Rookie defenseman David Shields, who sat out the Aces' last game with a lower-body injury, is back practicing and will play tonight, giving Alaska the usual complement of six defensemen.
Defenseman Chad Anderson, who sat out the last two games with a broken left foot and is in a walking boot, has been moved to the 21-day injured reserve.
Veteran right wing Wes Goldie, who leads the team in points with 2-5--7 totals in nine games, will miss tonight's series opener to serve the second game of his league-imposed, two-game suspension for an elbowing major. He should be back in the lineup Saturday.
Defenseman Kane Lafranchise is plus 5 in his seven games, and combined with his plus-15 rating in 22 games last season, is plus 20 in 29 pro games.
The Reign includes forward Bill Bagron (No. 24) of Eagle River, who leads them in goals and plus-minus, and is tied for fourth in points -- he owns 5-2--7 and plus-5 totals in eight games. Bagron previously played for Bloomington of the Central Hockey League. His Ontario connection is coach Jason Christie, who was bench boss at Bloomington last season and whom Aces fans might remember as coach of the Utah Grizzlies from 2005-2008.
Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.
By DOYLE WOODY
Anchorage Daily News