Not that Howard had been anything less than perfect, surrendering more than two goals just once—in a 4-1 loss against the Golden Eagles—while losing only that start in seven.

But despite the frustrations of performing well beyond expectations, Howard persevered, recapturing a foothold in the starting rotation and once again taking the ice every other contest.

“It helps because you always know that there is someone there to push you,” he said. “And you also know that if you slip up they are going to take your job so you have to stay on top of your game.”

While Doyle didn’t slip, Howard’s stellar play built to a deafening crescendo in the Hockey East semifinal, when he blanked Boston University, streaking following its series upset over BC.

And at that point, continuing to hold his star out of every second contest ceased to be an option for Maine coach Tim Whitehead.

So into the crease skated Howard at the FleetCenter last Saturday evening, marking the first time all season he’d stood his post at the goal line twice in the same weekend.

Through 60 minutes, 36 saves for the newly-anointed first-stringer—just four fewer than his season high.

Then, UMass—always ready to strike at a moment’s notice—launched an all-out assault on Howard’s net, firing 19 shots in the first 20-minute overtime session in an attempt to prolong its season with the tournament champion’s automatic tournament berth.

Howard didn’t even flinch. He wasn’t in there to make mistakes.

Just saves.

“I always think, ‘just hang in there and the other guy is going to crack sooner or later,’” he said.

Almost 30 minutes later, it turned out, after Howard had added another eight stones to his career-high mark.

“Howard could be,” said assistant captain Tyler Kolarik, “the best goalie in college hockey.”

Maybe he is. But then again, maybe he’s just like Yann Danis.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.