Like much of the rest of its lineup, Denver’s goaltending was average at the midseason point – not bad, but not spectacular. Like its cumulative record at the time (7-7-2), average.

Coach Jim Montgomery declared the Evan Cowley–Tanner Jaillet timeshare finished after the fourth of four consecutive losses in December and opted for Jaillet as the No. 1 net the rest of the season.

By now you know the results – DU reached the Frozen Four and the goaltending from both was substantially better during the second half of the season.

Jaillet, a sophomore, stood 3-3-2 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average at the break. Cowley, a junior, was 4-4 with a .888 and and a 2.99.

Jaillet thrived in his role, finishing 17-5-5 with a 2.27 gas and .922 save percentage. He sustained just two losses in 2016 – the NCAA semifinal and the NCHC Frozen Fury semifinal. His shutout of Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 8 was one of the turning points for the Pioneers. He blanked UNO again in the last weekend of the regular season. He also had a sterling weekend in a DU’s sweep of North Dakota in February, making 70 saves against the eventual national champions.

Cowley also lost just one game in the second half – at Miami on Jan. 29 – but went 4-0-1 in his other five games of record. He was particularly spectacular in a home sweep of Minnesota-Duluth in late January. He relieved Jaillet after the started allowed two goals in the first 6:13 and blanked the Bulldogs the rest of that game and well into the next game. In all he allowed just one goal to a team that reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 113 minutes.

Not only did he demonstrate he still had the trust of Montgomery, but he gained an enormous measure of respect in the locker room, according to captain Grant Arnold, who said everyone appreciated the way Cowley handled his demotion and supported Jaillet at practice, during games and elsewhere.

Not only did Cowley have an 8-5-1 record, but he dropped his gaa a full goal to finish at 1.99 and raised his save percentage to .931.

In addition, junior Greg Ogard played the first regular-season game of his college career in December and also is lauded by teammates for his attitude and insight.

All three will return next season, and while Jaillet probably will go into the season as the starter, it is reassuring to know that two excellent options exist in goal. Over the course of a long season there is no doubt both will be needed.