PORTLAND – It certainly seems like Rastislav Stana is taking a liking to being an everyday goaltender.

After spending much of his brief AHL life trading off with Maxime Ouellet, the 23-year old goaltender is getting the chance to play full time for the Pirates.

“I wasn’t playing as much last season,” said Stana, who turns 24 next month. “I’m enjoying it. I think it’s just helping my game.”

Stana had impressed with his play in Portland in 30 total AHL games the last two years. His 9-15-5 record entering this season is a bit deceiving. He played well enough to win most games with a 2.51 goals against and .924 save percentage. He even earned the starting nod in the playoffs last year with his fine play down the stretch.

With Ouellet in Washington in the backup role, Stana is now Portland’s No. 1 option in goal. The Slovakian has played in seven straight games. During that period, he’s gone 4-1-2 and the loss was in overtime. He’s allowed just 11 goals and posted two shutouts during that stretch.

“He’s just playing well,” said Pirate coach Tim Army. “He’s squaring well. He’s seeing the puck well. He’s consistant in his approach to finding the shot. His rebound control is great. He’s deflecting shots well, and he’s moving well with the puck.”

Army says that Stana is reading the play and helping the defense simplify its defensive game. He’s making decisions quickly and effectively and helping move the puck.

“He’s almost there when the pass is made before the shooter has a chance to shoot,” said Army.

Stana has also been able to backstop his team to a win, when they’ve needed it. He was critical in a 1-1 tie Friday night and barred the door for two periods before Portland beat Providence 2-0 Saturday. His goals against is now 1.63, second-best in the AHL.

“His game is really solid,” said Army. “When we get into some scrambling situations, he’s coming up with some big saves.”

Stana’s most recent run of action came after seeing little ice time during a month with the parent Capitals. He was called up to Washington to backup Olaf Kolzig in November. He played in two games with the Caps, earning his first NHL win in his first start in a 4-1 win over Detroit.

“It’s really helped my confidence,” said Stana, who became the Slovakian-born goaltender to win an NHL game. “I got to play in a couple of games there. So I showed myself that I can play there. So that really helped my game.”

Still, sitting and watching most of the action in Washington isn’t as beneficial as playing. Though he may wind up switching back with Ouellet in Washington again at some point, Stana is enjoying his current opportunity, and so are the Pirates, who have benefitted greatly from Stana’s play.

“That’s why I’m glad to be here,” said Stana. “I was there over a month and I only played a few games.

“Right now, we’re enjoying a good string. Winning is always a good thing. They believe in each other, and we still believe that we can do it. It’s a good thing for us.”

Trading more than gifts

The Pirates weren’t just exchanging presents last week. A fight broke out in practice last Monday, just as the team prepared to break for the holidays. The Darcy Verot-Matt Libby saga apparently wasn’t put to rest as previously believed. The two got into a scuffle twice during practice. The two exchanged blows and then grappled again after being pulled apart by teammates.

Libby has been a healthy scratch the last two games and been conspicous by his absence around the Pirates lockeroom. All Army will say about his status is that he is a healthy scratch.

“I think there’s still a concern over it,” said Army. “From my standpoint, I want to move on and obviously, not have it be an interference. There’s always going to be some hesitation, but my focus is on the fact that we’re trying to do some good things. I’m trying to show them the good things that we’re doing and that, frankly, I’m not looking back. I’m trying to move forward.”

A Verot elbow last December put Libby out for nearly three months last year with a severe concussion. Verot, who became an arch-enemy the rest of the season, was signed during the summer.

He had a nasty altercation with Mel Angelstad and Dwayne Zinger in training camp in Washington, but the bad feelings had been thought to be smoothed over. Both Libby and Verot had said that last year was in the past and that both had moved past that.

Verot, who has overcome an early hand injury, has started playing very well for Portland while Libby, a Saco native, has struggled at times.

The two players have not commented on what started the fight. Army addressed the situation with each player, but says all he can do is try and keep the players focused on playing hockey.

“I talked to them and what’s inside hasn’t neccessarily changed,” said Army of the personal animosity between the two. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m just trying to refocus them on the task at hand. I’ve addressed some different situations and some issues. From my standpoint, it’s time to move on, get our team ready to play and focus on the goals that we have.”

kmills@sunjournal.com

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