Though he's not an imposing figure between the pipes, Karl Goehring has let his numbers intimidate AHL opponents.

Goehring, listed at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, has been thriving as the smallest player in the league. Despite his struggling Syracuse Crunch squad residing at or near the bottom of the Western Conference for most of the season, the native of Happy Valley, Minn., currently ranks second in the circuit with a 1.98 goals-against average and tied for third with a save percentage of .930.

The 24-year-old is tops in the league with four shutouts, all of which came during an unconscious five-game winning streak from November 9-24. Goehring stood on his head, stopping an amazing 145 of 146 shots during that stretch to lower his GAA to 0.82. The one puck that did get past him came on a power play late in the game against Philadelphia.

"I did my best to just keep things normal and just play my game," said Goehring about his mindset during the streak.

His normal game is that of a winner. Goehring certainly won in college, where he went 80-20-13 while tending net for the University of North Dakota. He backstopped the Fighting Sioux to an NCAA championship in 2000 and was in goal the following April when North Dakota fell an overtime goal shy of repeating.

Overlooked by the NHL after his senior season, Goehring was signed by the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL and the winning ways followed him. After posting an early six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) with Dayton last year, he spent a good amount of time in the AHL. At season's end, Goehring was back with the Bombers in time to lead them to the ECHL Finals.

Enjoying great personal success this year, Goehring, who likens his passionate style of play to that of former Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion Mike Vernon, now is hoping to put himself in a better position with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Despite entering the season ranked behind 20-year-old prospect Pascal LeClaire on the organizational depth chart, Goehring has thoroughly outplayed his Syracuse teammate. Goehring has surrendered 26 fewer goals in one less game than LeClaire, who was 4-8-1 with a 3.78 GAA through Wednesday.

The 6-foot-1 LeClaire was drafted by the Blue Jackets with the eighth overall pick in the 2001 entry draft and was immediately billed as the club's goaltender of the future.

Goehring, on the other hand, has made his onlookers stand up and take notice in spite of the lack of notoriety from the NHL scouts.

"(Karl) has got the potential to be a real solid guy," said Syracuse coach Gary Agnew. "He's a good prospect."

Agnew, who watched 10-year-veteran J.F. Labbe establish club records in goals-against average (2.18), save percentage (.928) and shutouts (9) last season without getting a full-time call up to the big club until this year, knows that it won't be easy for Goehring and that he has to make up for his physical shortcomings with heart and hustle.

"I think Karl is a guy that's going to have to bide his time very much like the way J.F. did," Agnew said. "He's probably had to battle his whole career so he's used to being in this position.

"He's small in stature so he needs to make up for that in terms of his competitiveness, which he does. There's no easy goals on him. He was a winner at North Dakota ... and he's brought that to this organization. He does a real good job of playing angles and he's a hard-working kid. First guy on, last guy off. He's a real coachable kid."

Goehring tirelessly works on rebound drills, among other methods of preparation, and his effort has paid dividends thus far. He and LeClaire display vastly contrasting styles, due to the size differential, but have been given equal opportunity to impress the organization.

"Being out of the net more is more of my game," said Goehring.

"Obviously bigger goalies can afford to stay back and in the net more and can go down a little bit earlier because they're bigger and take up more of the net. As for myself I try to stay on my feet and read the play as best as I can and make a position save."

"Because of the type of goalie he is, he can't afford to make any mistakes because if he does, the puck winds up behind him," Agnew said. "He needs to be on his game every night."

And he has been. Never in college or in the pros has he finished a season with a goals-against average of higher than 2.49. In his first nine appearances this season, Goehring permitted more than one goal just once and has maintained a save percentage of at least .911 thus far this season.

While the impressive numbers are there for Goehring, whether or not he will crack an NHL roster this season is beyond his control. One thing is for certain, the diminutive Goehring's customary high level of play will never be compromised just because the odds are against him.