Wis. hockey program Oct. 21-22 vs. Denver
 
By Lisa Dinzeo
UW Sports Information
 
     The Badgers take the ice tonight in their home opening series against
the pioneers  with new facilities, faces, and renewed confidence.  One of
the faces that opponents and fans will see a lot of this year is that of
sophomore goaltender, Kirk Daubenspeck.
 
     His freshman year Daubenspeck was a back up goalie for Jim Carey.  He
only saw action in seven games and faced just 158 shots-on-goal last year.
Carey's sudden decision to leave college hockey for the NHL left Daubenspeck
with some pretty big shoes to fill.
 
     "Not only do I have (Carey's) shoes to fill but all Wisconsin goalies
in general.  The spotlight is usually on us, and from that aspect it's kind
of tough.  But I knew that coming in and that's what I wanted, so I can't
complain."
 
     Daubenspeck feels confident with his new role but admits that both the
physical and mental adjustments will take some time.
 
     "The mental aspect is the biggest difference from switching from a back
up to a starting goalie," said Daubenspeck.  "Last year I could just come to
the rink, and know that I wasn't going to be playing.  So with sitting on
the bench, I wan't really into the games last year."
 
      Daubenspeck had an outstanding first night as the starting goalie in
hte 6-5 victory over Duluth last week.  He had 35 saves against the
Bulldogs, stopped all 15 shots in the second period, and came close to
setting a personal-high.  His best save performance (37) came in a 4-3
overtime win against Alaska-Anchorage last year.
 
     The question concerning stamina and physical challenge faced by any
starting goalie should not be a major issue because Daubenspeck has worked
on basic fundamentals with coach Bill Howard even before he became a Badger.
 
     "I've got the fundamentals down," said Daubenspeck.  "Even if I'm in a
slump I feel confident that my fundamentals will carry me through it."
 
     Daubenspeck, who was traded from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Ottawa
Senators, has very simple goals for himself this year.
     "My main goal is to have a lot of wins this year, and with that I would
like to be on top of the league in stats like every other player.  I just
want to win this year, and be there for the team."
 
     Daubenspeck admits that he has had a lot of encouragement from both the
coaches and teammates with his goaltending abilities, and confesses that the
only real pressure he feels comes from himself.
 
     "The pressure comes from me because I don't want to lose the teams
confidence in me; they have been great so far."
 
     Instead of playing out east after finishing Culver Military Academy,
the Madison native decided to play with the Wisconsin Capitols and the Sioux
City Musketeers for a year before putting on a Badger jersey.
 
     "A lot of guys are happy to be (at Madison) because it's one of the
best organizations and universities around.  But it's a lot different when
you're from Madison.  I cherish every time I put on a jersey, because it
really means a lot to me."
 
Go Red!!
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