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Losing first-string goaltender Genevieve Lacasse to the Calgary Inferno was a tremendous blow to the Boston Blades. The Canadian native was sent back to Calgary in August, in trade for captain Tara Watchorn, who joined Boston during the 2013 season. Lacasse’s addition strengthens Calgary –– already stocked with two extremely talented netminders –– even further in goal and left Boston with a big question mark: who would be able to take her place?

Maybe not one someone, but two.

Lacasse played every period in every game except one during Boston’s 2015-2016 season, not necessarily helping Boston win games (the team won only one regular-season game) but helping it lose less badly. She recorded an astonishing 1345:33 minutes in net, a save percentage of .904 and an average of only 4.86 goals-against, despite facing upwards of 45 shots per game over the course of the season.

Her backup, Amanda Cariddi, played only 97:48 minutes over three games, allowed an average of 6.75 goals-against and posting a save percentage of .863. Cariddi spent much of the season sitting on the bench, ready to jump in should Lacasse pull a groin or succumb to exhaustion. With the thin defense in front of Boston’s net, Lacasse rarely took a period off.

However, this season, Patronick is looking at a true one-two situation in net, or possibly even a tandem like the Blades utilized when Ott and Lacasse were both rostered during the 2014-2015 season.

“The thought’s in the back of my mind that it’s not like last season where we had Genevieve and Amanda didn’t really see ice that much. I’m thinking we might have to depend on that second goalie more so that’s weighing into our decision. If we need that other goalie to really step in, whether it’s [due to] injury or anything else, we want that goalie to be ready and be able to handle everything that comes her way.”

To ensure success, Patronick brought in Mike Diamantopoulos to work with the Blades as a defensive coach and goalie coach, once again plumbing the ball hockey depths where Patronick has roots. Diamantopoulos (or Dymo to his players) coaches defense and goalies in ball hockey and has brought his expertise over to the Blades.

Patronick knows the impact a goalie can have on Boston’s chances over the upcoming season and has studied each goalie carefully, already cutting three names –– Sarah Quigley, Amanda Fontaine and Marley Selfridge –– from consideration. She has only a few more weeks before her roster must be finalized.

“To cut it down to two, it’s going to be tough,” Patronick said. “We’re going to need another week, but I think that’s what we’re looking at.”

“Shelley Payne is someone who’s impressed us a lot at camp,” Patronick said. “She’s a very athletic goalie. She moves very well, takes up a lot of space. [Payne] has pro hockey experience in Europe, which she’ll definitely be drawing upon in the CWHL. Lauren Dahm, another big goalie, takes up a lot of space, which is helpful. When you look at her move you can tell she has the tools to play in this league. She moves well, she’s good with her glove, good down low, and doesn’t really let in a lot of rebounds. We like that about her.”

Patronick laughed, adding, “That’s important.”

“You have Amanda Cariddi from last season, who is big,” Patronick continued. “When she works her angles she can stop the puck. She’s a great teammate, obviously that’s important to have on your team, too, and Melissa Mansfield has impressed us as well.”

Dahm, a netminder who graduated from Clarkson in 2011, is eager to make a good impression at camp and hopeful that she’ll find a spot on the first roster, especially as one left of only four goalies. The chance to play at a high level again is tantalizing for the former Clarkson Knights backstop.

“Definitely the opportunity,” Dahm responded when asked what drew her to try out. “You know, with the new league going on, but still, I think the CWHL is still the top league. Even though players left [the CWHL], basically they opened the door for fresh talent. Getting back into playing, it’s been too long since I was away from the elite women’s game. So far, it’s been great.”

“With Lacasse’s departure I think it leaves a door open for one or two goalies to come in and really be the backbone for the team,” she continued. “Obviously, it would be great to be that for the Blades.”

Boston Blades enjoying surplus of goalies