At least they don't get bored

Proponents of high school sports often tout the ability of extracurricular activities to make students more well-rounded and ready to tackle what life will eventually throw their way.

If that life is going to consist of the usual twists, turns, bumps and bruises that most of us face, consider it hereby submitted that there are few better ways to prepare than by being a high school goalie on a team that's a work in progress.

With that premise in mind, I contacted a handful of local goalies who rank among the metro leaders in saves but who do not, shall we say, rank among the leaders in victories. The basic question: How do you stay positive when you're facing shot after shot with no relief, and few victories, in sight?

The basic answer: It's their job, and they're going to do it to the best of their abilities no matter what.

"I'm in there because I want shots," said Chaska's Parker Plucinak, who has made 388 saves against the likes of Eden Prairie, Rosemount, Burnsville and Edina as the Hawks have compiled a 6-9-1 record. "At the end of the day, I look at myself, and I want to be able to say that I did my best. Every shot, every goal, even if it's 11-0, I'm going to try not to let it get to 12-0."

Andrew Schouveller, third in the metro with 424 saves for the 2-12 Becker/Big Lake/Milaca squad, endures 10:30 p.m. practices in Monticello because that's when and where his team can get ice time.

"I just love to strap on the pads and stop the puck," Schouveller said. "I love being able to go 1-on-1 with somebody."

Give up? If anyone has the right to throw his hands up in despair, it's Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato's Lucas Johnson. His 461 saves lead the metro area, but his squad is 4-8-2, with all the losses coming by two goals or fewer. One of those losses came 3-2 to Sauk Rapids-Rice, a game in which Johnson made 63 saves.

But Johnson sounds as happy-go-lucky as a guy who just found 20 bucks.

"It makes the game fly by and keeps you on your toes," Johnson said of a 66-shot game. "You definitely want to win, but they were a good team. We did our best."

The only frustration, it seems, comes from dealing with people who make judgments without all the facts. (Get used to it, fellas.)

"The parents understand, but other people say, 'You lost. Your goalie must stink," Johnson said. "Those people don't understand hockey."

Added Plucinak: "If they don't go to the game and just look at the boxscore, they'll say, 'Man, you gave up six goals.' And I'm like, 'Did you see the goals? I had two guys laying on me ... ' "

All three of the goalies are seniors. All three are captains. And all three seem to have a pretty good idea of what it takes to ultimately succeed in life. They're not going to win every time -- maybe not even half of the time -- but they're not going give up or get down.

"If I lose the game, maybe my night is ruined, but I can't take it into the next day," Plucinak said.

Added Johnson: "We moved into a new section this year. I think we have a pretty decent shot of going to state."

The puck, and the future, is in good hands.

Michael Rand • mrand@startribune.com