By Max DelSignore
Times Sportswriter

CANTON - It feels like freshman year all over again for Alex Petizian.

Four goalies have been competing for minutes between the pipes for the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team this year, and Petizian, a native of Kirkland, Quebec, is aiming to prove himself once again. He earned the trust of his teammates and became the Saints' starting goaltender during the second half of last season as a freshman. He was named the ECAC Hockey League's All-Rookie goalie and a second-team all-conference selection.

But with all the lingering questions surrounding SLU and its 3-5 start - including an unexpected 0-3 record in ECACHL play - Petizian and three other netminders haven't been able to secure the No. 1 goaltender spot. Whether it's been injuries or sickness, Saints coach Joe Marsh has given each goalie an opportunity to potentially step forward and claim starter's minutes.

"We don't want guys to go out there and do the impossible," Marsh said. "We want people healthy. We don't want to jeopardize or compromise anyone's health. ... It's about giving guys direction and confidence that makes the depth important."

Petizian could use a healthy start after suffering a back injury that shelved him for Friday's game against Dartmouth. He tried to help the Saints salvage a weekend split, but he allowed five goals and made just 17 saves in a 6-1 loss to Harvard on Saturday.

Petizian admitted that he was "very passive" and didn't challenge enough shots. Following one of the most difficult outings of his career, he's determined to establish himself as the go-to goalie for the Saints.

"You always have to prove yourself," Petizian said. "You can't take any day off. I kind of like it like that. It fuels me and gives me that extra push. It makes me work harder and learn faster."

While Petizian's drive is noteworthy, so is that of classmate Kain Tisi. The Mississagua, Ontario, native has lost a pair of close games to Massachusetts and Dartmouth. Tisi said he's still more confident this year after logging just six starts as a freshman.

"You come to the rink knowing that you're battling for a spot," Tisi said. "Great competition breeds success. ... I feel a lot more comfortable this year. I go in thinking I'm going to win."

The one teammate Tisi aspires to be like is senior captain Justin Pesony. Like Tisi, Pesony appeared in six games last season and has two starts this year. Pesony, however, impresses Tisi and the coaching staff on a daily basis.

"I just watch his work ethic," Tisi said. "I've learned so much from him in the last year and a half. As far as physical preparation and mental preparation, the guy has gone through so much. I just learn from what he's done."

"He's probably one of the best-conditioned kids I've coached," Marsh said. "It's unbelievable what his daily routine is. .. The kid grinds it out every day. He puts so much time into the sport, he's humble, and he's an incredible leader."

But none of these three viable candidates has achieved what John Hallas has this season. The graduate student from Largo, Fla. has registered SLU's only shutout - a 4-0 victory over Union. Despite seeing 27 seconds of playing time a year ago, Marsh said he may give Hallas his third career start Friday at Princeton.

"Hallas is a guy that's paid his dues," Marsh said. "He's waited patiently for four years and has been a fabulous team player."

PESONY'S NEW ARRIVAL

Justin Pesony had a good reason for missing the Saints' first conference series at home last weekend.

Pesony, SLU's lone senior captain, and his wife, Amanda, are expecting their first child. St. Lawrence assistant coach Bob Prier said Tuesday that Pesony's newborn girl could come any day this week. Justin and Amanda were married two summers ago and are currently staying in Pesony's hometown of Edmonton, Alberta.

Prier said he expected Pesony to be back on campus next week. Pesony has split two decisions in goal for the Saints and recorded a team-best 1.52 goals-against-average.

NO LUCK FOR VERMEULEN

Travis Vermeulen is getting tired of the trips to the training room.

The native of Centerville, Minn., separated his left shoulder last weekend and is likely to miss this weekend's ECACHL series against Princeton and Quinnipiac. Vermeulen missed three weeks of action after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month.

Vermeulen, a sophomore forward, returned to the lineup against Dartmouth and led the Saints' first line at center. He's provided one assist in three games this season.

The trainers have cleared junior defenseman Matt Generous for this weekend's games. He injured his right shoulder in an overtime loss to Clarkson on Oct. 20 and has missed the last four games. The Cheshire, Conn., native has contributed two goals in four games for the Saints.