By Ken Wiebe /

Karl Goehring is proving to be a valuable insurance policy.

When the Manitoba Moose went out and signed the 30-year-old goalie from Apple Valley, Minn., in the off-season, they envisioned Goehring as the 1B in an impressive tandem with second-year netminder Cory Schneider.

Schneider, the Vancouver Canucks first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, was expected to carry the bulk of the load but Goehring was going to be there to push the youngster and to make him earn each and every start.

That plan flew out the window — at least temporarily — when Canucks all-world goaltender Roberto Luongo went down with a groin injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 22.

Schneider was summoned immediately and Goehring became the undisputed starter.

Through his first 10 starts with the Moose, Goehring posted a record of 7-3 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

“All throughout my career, I’ve had chances to carry the load, so to speak,” Goehring told the Winnipeg Sun. “It’s just about preparation and I feel like I do a good job of trying to get myself ready. My mindset is that I’m always going to be working hard and prepared to go.

“When it comes to game-time, it’s just playing and having fun and competing.”

The Moose had a front-row seat for Goehring’s most recent stint as a starter.

After bouncing around a bit early in the 2007-08 season (two games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and one with the Norfolk Admirals), Goehring found a home with the 
Syracuse Crunch.

By the time the regular season was over, Goehring had put together a record of 15-8-2 and earned the No. 1 job heading into the post-season.

During the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, Goehring was outstanding and led the Crunch to four overtime victories in a riveting six-game series with the Moose.

Although the Crunch were defeated by the Toronto Marlies in a seven-game North Division final, it had little to do 
with Goehring.

Moose head coach Scott Arniel is happy his team won’t be haunted by Goehring this season.

“Obviously, we saw him last year and (remember) what he did to us in the playoffs,” said Arniel. “It’s nice to have him on our side. He’s got a real good demeanour and a real good personality.”

MOOSE NOTES
Schneider made his NHL debut on Nov. 29 against the Calgary Flames, making 28 saves in a 3-1 loss. In his second start (and fourth appearance), Schneider earned his first NHL victory — a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. Schneider, who won 10 consecutive AHL starts prior to his recall, was named AHL goalie of the month for November ... Centre Alexandre Bolduc also made his NHL debut last month, suiting up against the Flames on Nov. 27 and 29. When Bolduc was returned to the Moose, the Canucks put in a call for Jason Jaffray. In his second game with the Canucks this season, Jaffray scored the game-winner against the Wild on Dec. 5.