Posted: 2/8/06
Dynamic duo in net for Rangers
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Things have been changing for the better for the Forest Lake High School girls hockey team and as the team wins games this season, much credit can be given to the sophomore goaltending tandem of Kim Fredrick and Cassi Carpenter.
Fredrick is playing her fourth season on the Rangers varsity team as sheís been on the roster since she was in the seventh grade. Cassi spent her seventh grade season at Hill Murray, but decided to return to the Rangers during her eighth grade season.
ìI transferred because the drive was too far and the hockey team wasnít as friendly,î Carpenter said. ìI just liked it better here.î
One of the things Carpenter didnít like about Hill Murray was that there were always new players coming to the team, whereas in Forest Lake she grew up playing with the other players and she knew they all got along.
ìWe play better in Forest Lake because we all talk and get along,î Carpenter said.
When Fredrick first made the varsity team as a seventh grader she was second on the depth chart behind then senior Kelsie Bakken. As an eighth grader Fredrick was the lone goalie on the team, playing every game until a concussion ended her season and Kathy Crudo traded in a forward stick for a goalie stick.
After playing a season as the only goalie Fredrick had some competition for playing time when Carpenter returned to Forest Lake. Competition for playing time could rattle the psyche of some goaltenders, but not Fredrick.
ìI didnít have a problem with it because I donít have a problem with her (Carpenter),î Fredrick said. ìIt would be different if we didnít get along.î
Fredrick pointed out that playing on a team where she gets along with the other goaltender is important because only goaltenders understand the kinds of support one needs.
When not in the nets for a game Fredrick and Carpenter observe each otherís games and look to see if there is something they could incorporate into their game, or look for any glaring mistake they are making so they can point it out.
ìWhen youíre on the bench during a game you can see how the other could have done something,î Fredrick said.
ìSometimes we didnít see how we got beat, but we can ask each other so we can make those adjustments,î Carpenter added.
When theyíre not helping each other, volunteer goalie coach Neil Sawyer is working with the girls to make them better goaltenders.
ìWhen we didnít have a goalie coach weíd just be in practice getting shots, not working on our skills,î Carpenter said.
With Sawyer on the ice with the girls he not only helps them learn new techniques for stopping the puck, but helps them improve some of their weaker skills.
ìItís really helpful to have him out there with us because he knows what heís talking about,î Fredrick said. ìItís better than having a coach who doesnít understand the position telling you what to do.î
That goaltender specific coaching has helped Fredrick and Carpenter better their games, in turn helping the Rangers improve from 5-17-4 just a year ago to 10-12-2 this season.
With Fredrick and Carpenter, as well as the rest of the Rangers, playing better hockey this season, both goaltenders have felt the pressure to play their best.
ìIn close games it can be frustrating, but fun,î Fredrick said. ìIf you win a big game you feel like you were a part of it, but if you lose you think I should have stopped this shot or our forwards could have hit the net instead of the post on that shot.î
Coaches comments
While the Rangers turnaround this season has been partially the solid play of Fredrick and Carpenterís play, the other main key is the new coaching staff of Paul Kendrick and Dan Forsythe.
Kendrick shrugs off the credit of being one of the forces responsible for the programís turnaround and puts it on the effort of the players, especially the goaltending.
ìTheyíre both good goaltenders that are fundamentally sound and have the attitude that they want to develop their potential to be the best they can be,î Kendrick said.
ìThey push themselves in practices, energizing each other to work harder. They both have save percentages around 92 percent so that helps too.î
Most coaches dream of having two bonafide starting goalies, but such a luxury could be tough for most coaches. Fredrick and Carpenter make it easy for Kendrick though.
ìI told the girls that I want to keep playing them equally because theyíre both playing well, but if one of them shows that theyíre the number one goalie, then weíll ride them for a while,î Kendrick said.
Kendrick wonít take the credit for the development of Fredrick and Carpenter, he credits volunteer goalie coach Neil Sawyer with helping the girls to further their development.
ìNeil loves coaching the girls because they work so hard and they love to come to practice,î Kendrick said.
With goaltender specific coaching and experience Kendrick sees the girls only getting better and helping the team move forward.
ìTheyíre just quality young girls with great character, very coachable and very respectfulî Kendrick said. ìI think they come off as theyíre like sponges in that they want to absorb everything we can give them to make them better.î
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