'Life's a Beech' for Wolves' goalie

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

Sudbury Wolves' back-up goalie Kevin Beech is playing the waiting game, and it's actually preparing him for the biggest challenge of his life.

Beech is eagerly waiting for his shot at grabbing the number one goalie spot with the Wolves. He's anxious to show them, and the rest of the world,

he has what it takes to handle the difficult duty.

When Wolves' current number one goalie Patrick Ehelechner says his triumphant farewell to the OHL at the end of this season, Beech knows he must seize the opportunity and run with it.

"I can definitely handle the pressure of being the number one goalie," said Beech. "I think I have already shown my potential in pressure games this season. Growing up, I have always been a number one goalie on every team I played for. It's what I expect from myself. My first goal was to make the OHL, and my second goal was to be a number one goalie in the OHL. I am looking forward to the challenge."

Beech's season didn't start well, as he lost his first seven games. A few months ago, Beech re-evaluated his game, and made it a point to get better

in practice because he wasn't getting playing time.

Beech made the most of his back-up role by refining his game in practice and treating those situations as actual games.

Now, Beech has won four straight games, and has his team believing in him.

"Kevin kept a good mentality towards everything that has gone on with him," said Wolves' head coach and GM Mike Foligno. "He did extra work after practices to get better. He has done a tremendous job for us lately. It started three weeks ago when we threw him in against the Soo and he was outstanding. He has gained more confidence everyday since. The guys are believing in him, and that's important. When you get the opportunity to go in, you better do the job because that's how you get called on again and again."

In those four wins, Beech had a jaw-dropping .951 save percentage, a true testament to his recent stellar play.

The reins of the number one goalie are waiting for Beech next season.

"It's open for him, and he's a guy we are grooming for that position," said Foligno. "It's up to him to take advantage of it.

"We have full confidence he will. Kevin has a great calmness and cool attitude in the net. He doesn't get rattled too often. Our goalie situation looks very bright for next season."

Even though he has played just 11 games, scouts have taken notice of Beech's ability.

"Kevin has made huge strides as a goalie," said International Scouting Services chief scout Mark Seidel. "He has great size and good athleticism. He has become much stronger technically. Beech covers the lower half of the net well, challenges well and has a quick glove and blocker. He still needs to work on his consistency and rebound control."

For now, Beech will just continue to enjoy his experience of living out his dream.

"This is where I want to be," said Beech. "Making this team has been the highlight of my life. I just love coming to the rink everyday. There has never been a day where I regretted coming to practice. I am always ready to go. If I get a start, I have the ability to steal games, especially in pressure

situations. I thrive on those situations, and just love playing the big game."