Pieces of the puzzle: Mandan Hockey rides goalie tandem in hot start

MANDAN, N.D. (KFYR) - Mandan boys’ hockey has started the season on the right foot. The Braves are 3-0 with two WDA wins and sit atop the conference standings.

The reason for Mandan’s early success largely sits between the pipes.

Mandan hockey seems to have solved the puzzle.

“You just have to make it fit, and we found the right pieces right away,” said Mandan Coach Matt Winkle.

Two of those puzzle pieces lay between the pipes: Cooper Anderson and Jacob Walch. The pair have only grown closer as they enter year two on varsity together.

“The bond we’ve created is something you really can’t touch. The bond is unbelievable, all we do is lift each other up, and we’ll never bring each other down,” said Mandan goaltender Jacob Walch.

Both Walch and Anderson have been solid in their action so far this season, and having multiple viable options at goaltender is a dream for Coach Winkle.

“It’s a luxury, we know if one of them isn’t feeling well or can’t make it, we know we’re going to have one to step up. We’re pretty lucky,” said Winkle.

The decision on who gets the start is typically made the day before the game.

“We just try, and we battle, and we focus on ourselves, but at the same time, it’s whatever coach decides what’s better for the team, and all you can do is lift each other up no matter what the outcome is,” said Walch.

At any given point in a game, there are five players on the ice in front of the starting goaltender. But the player who makes the most impact for Cooper and Walch is whichever one of them is on the bench that day.

“The most important position isn’t the forward who scores all the goals, or it isn’t your defenseman making a game-winning block, it’s your goalie partner. If I’m slacking off in practice, or before a game, if I’m not locked in, my goalie partner can support me and keep me in check always,” said Anderson.

Mandan plays Williston on the road on Saturday. The Braves look to get to 4-0 on the season.