GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Drew MacIntyre has been named an AHL all-star for his work this season but all the good he's done will be tossed out the window if he can't find his game -- fast.

The Moose face the Grand Rapids Griffins (6 p.m., CJOB) with MacIntyre scheduled to start for the Moose. It comes down to this for the goalie -- play well and get a look for the playoffs or step aside for rookie Cory Schneider.

MacIntyre was awful in his last two games, giving up 10 goals in five periods, while Schneider has risen like a red-headed phoenix, winning 12 of 14.

"I don't think it takes a hockey expert to know what's up with the way Schneids (Schneider) has been playing and with the way things went for me in my last two games," admitted MacIntyre, prior to a Moose skate here on Thursday afternoon. "I just have to get back to the way I've been playing and Arnie (Scott Arniel) can make his decision based on that. Whatever decision he makes, both goalies have played well. I just want to get back to the way I've been playing."

Arniel won't share his game plan for the weekend but expect it go like something like this -- MacIntyre tonight against the Griffins, Schneider gets the nod to face the Griffs on Saturday and MacIntyre again on Sunday in Toronto against the Marlies. Arniel will give MacIntyre every chance to regain his No. 1 job to begin the playoffs.

"As coaches and teammates we haven't lost confidence in Drew MacIntyre. The situation here is Drew needs to get confidence in Drew. He just needs to get out there and play his game," offered Arniel. "For goaltenders it's as simple as winning a hockey game to fix things. The ebb and flow of good goaltenders is putting things behind them. Drew is mature and he's got his mind settled on what he needs to do next."

Not too long ago, Arniel was leaning toward MacIntyre but Schneider's brilliance has clouded the issue.

"Whatever puts you in the best position to have success. Whatever goalie we think gives us the best chance to win Game 1, that's the guy," stated Arniel. "Hopefully these guys can both be feeling good about their game by Sunday night and we can go into the week with a clear-cut idea of who it's going to be and just go from there."

The Moose let Wade Flaherty move on and gave the No. 1 gig to MacIntyre. He's responded with a 25-17-2 mark while creating a healthy atmosphere of competition between himself and Schneider. He's been everything the Moose have asked for -- until recently.

"I try not to listen to all this stuff but I understand that's hockey. Sometimes it's frustrating and at times you can feel sorry for yourself," said MacIntyre, 26. "I've watched some tape of my games lately and of when I've been playing good. I'm not worried.

"Someone like me is only going to go as far as my confidence in myself carries me. I'm not doubting myself and I haven't all season. I've had practice in my career at bouncing back. I need to learn to handle success a little better. This goes in the category of bouncing back and I'm not worried about that aspect of my game."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

A tale of two goalies

The Manitoba Moose head into the final weekend of the AHL regular season with goalies Drew MacIntyre and Cory Schneider fighting for the top job to begin the post-season. Having two goalies operating at similar levels of efficiency can be a luxury or create friction.

Alex Auld and Wade Flaherty

In 2005, Moose coach Randy Carlyle kept both goalies up and running until the final night of the regular season before naming the veteran Flaherty as his post-season starter. Flaherty won the first round and opened the second round before Carlyle made a switch that failed to pay dividends as the club fell to the Chicago Wolves.

Johan Hedberg and Ken Wregget

Carlyle had both 'tenders working well during the 2001 regular season and Hedberg was snatched up by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline. Wregget found a little of his old magic in the post-season, leading the Moose to the Western Conference Final where the club lost to the Wolves.

Bob Essensa and Stephane Beauregard

In 1989-90, Winnipeg Jets coach Bob Murdoch never did make up his mind, using an alternating system in the playoffs. Jets lost to Edmonton in the first round.

Bob Essensa and Rick Tabaracci

Coach John Paddock used Essensa 47 times in the 1991-92 regular season and Tabaracci on just 18 occasions. Paddock played a hunch and went with Tabaracci for the playoffs. Jets lost to Vancouver in the first round.

-- Gary Lawless