Kadets have 2 capable goalies but only one net to guard

Dave Meisinger faces a dilemma most hockey coaches would love to have.

The Air Academy coach has two four-year goalies who rank among the state’s best — and he can only start one of them.

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In past years, the goalie who Meisinger perceived as playing better got the nod. But he changed course this season, opting for a simple, yet logical, plan.

Win and stay in. Lose or tie and it’s back to the bench.

Luke Lindsay-Brisbin and Marcus Harbison love the idea.

“I thought it was all you could really do when you have two of the best goalies in the state,” Lindsay-Brisbin said. “We both play well at times. And if we can get on a good run, it’s great for the team.”

Prior to his team’s regular-season finale last week, Meisinger tweaked the system. He settled on one goalie — Lindsay-Brisbin — who would start that game and in the playoffs.

But that decision hit a speed bump late in the second period when Lindsay-Brisbin was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shots. Harbison replaced him and shut out Fountain Valley the rest of the way.

“In the end, switching the goalies gave us the jump we needed,” Lindsay-Brisbin said.

Harbison (8-2-2) said he was surprised by the team’s decision to go with Lindsay-Brisbin (3-2-1) but understood the reasons behind it.

“He has played better than me the past couple games so I can’t really argue,” Harbison said.

When one isn’t on the ice, he pulls for the other to play well and win for the team — even though a win means another night on the bench.

“It’s tough,” Harbison said. “You put your head down and go to work.”

For the rest of the Kadets, it doesn’t matter who’s in net.

“I always say we have two of the top five goalies in the state,” defenseman Jack Weisenbach said. “Really, any one of them can play in the game.”

Third-seeded Air Academy (11-5-3) opens the playoffs at 5 p.m. Friday against No. 14 Doherty (10-6-3) at Sertich Ice Center.

And despite pulling Lindsay-Brisbin in the finale, Meisinger said he expects him to start in the playoffs.

“This isn’t what you wanted to see happen in the last game,” Meisinger said. “I think he has the leg up. Right now I don’t think it’s going to change, but you never know.”