[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

OHIO STATE HOCKEY
Palmer will try to carry on legacy of strong goalies

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Freshman goaltender Joe Palmer will make his first start tonight when Ohio State faces Guelph.





The hallmark of the Ohio State hockey program in recent seasons has been a tight defense backed by a sturdy goaltender. Jeff Maund set the school record for highest save percentage, Mike Betz set the record for most wins and Dave Caruso set the record for lowest goals-against average.
Caruso finished his career last March among the top four in the program?s history in wins, save percentage and minutes played, in addition to his record for lowest goals-against average. His are sizable shoes to fill.
Freshman Joe Palmer knows the history and understands the expectations. Where others might see pressure, he saw opportunity.
Palmer, a veteran of the U.S. National Team Development Program and a fourth-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, welcomed the chance to replace Caruso. He will make his collegiate debut at 8:05 tonight as Ohio State?s starting goalie in an exhibition game against Guelph.
"It was definitely one of the biggest factors in coming to Ohio State ? the ability to come in as a freshman and get playing time and showcase my abilities," Palmer said.
The opportunity grew during the summer when Ian Kesserich, Caruso?s backup the previous two seasons, left the program to play junior hockey. The Buckeyes scrambled to fill his spot, signing 17-year-old Nick Filion, who was planning to play junior hockey for another season before attending college.
The only returning goalie is junior Phil Lauderdale, a former walk-on from the OSU club team who has never played in a Division I game. Palmer will be expected to carry the load, with Filion as his backup.
"Both guys can play, and I think both guys will play," coach John Markell said. "They?re freshmen. I know going in there are going to be situations where one guy has to be pulled, so the other guy has to be ready to step in."
Palmer is no stranger to the spotlight, or the competition. While in the development program the past two seasons, he played more than a dozen games against Division I college teams and competed in multiple international tournaments.
"It definitely got me ready," he said. "Not just the speed of the game ... but the mental aspect of playing in a college atmosphere, with the fans and everything. It definitely prepares you for the atmosphere."
Filion figures to have a tougher adjustment. This is his first time living away from home, he has not faced the same competition as Palmer, and until late in the summer he expected to spend this season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"I?m still shocked and amazed," he said. "It came up pretty fast."
Filion said he was so impressed during his visit to Ohio State that he was willing to begin his college career one year earlier than he originally planned, even if it meant arriving in Palmer?s shadow.
Each said he likes having a classmate to compete with, and Markell does, too.
"It will be a competition, which we want it to be. But it will be very complementary," Markell said. "Both kids are freshmen. They know they?re going to be here ? together ? for four years. They know they are going to have to work together."
spriestle@dispatch.com