Bryan Hogan and Shawn Hunwick are tired of the questions and weary of repeating themselves.

The two goalies struggle to see what the big deal is about two longtime friends competing for the starting job on the Michigan hockey team.

"I think it's being over-done a little," Hogan said with a chuckle Tuesday, once again in the middle of an interview focused on Michigan's on-going open competition in net.

For now, Michigan coach Red Berenson considers his fourth-ranked Wolverines a two-goalie team.

Hunwick - the unlikely hero of last season's post-season run, will start in goal on Fridays before Hogan - who held down the starting job until a groin injury sidelined him late last season - will get his turn each Saturday.

Both seniors, who began their Michigan careers on the bench, realize that in time, one goalie will emerge as the Wolverines' starter. Until then, the two friends who only rarely talk hockey off the ice remain in an open audition.

"Every single day in practice, you have to be ready," Hogan said. "(There are) no days off, and that's good. I love the challenge, and it's a lot more fun to play when you've got competition right behind you."

That wasn't always the case. Hogan began last season as the starter, having battled Billy Sauer in a season-long competition his sophomore year. But when the groin injury ended his season Feb. 25, Hunwick emerged, capturing the CCHA Championship Tournament MVP award and carrying the Wolverines into their 20th NCAA appearance.

Hogan had no choice but to pull for his teammate, wanting nothing more than to see the Wolverines reach the Frozen Four. But Hogan was frustrated that he couldn’t contribute.

"It was definitely tough," Hogan said. "Mentally, it was tough to get over that, because I never had to go through anything like that before. And it was tough because the team was winning and everything was going well. So it was tough, but I was definitely happy for the team."

For Hunwick, who got the first start of the season last weekend against Mercyhurst, the intent was to hold onto what he had. As much confidence as Hunwick gained in guiding the Wolverines to within one win over their 24th Frozen Four appearance, he now must focus on the present.

"We talk about it each year - that it's a fresh start - it doesn't really matter what we did last year," Hunwick said. "That goes for everyone on the team. No one's set in stone, and everyone's working hard to try and prove their worth."

But perhaps it's no more evident than in goal, where Hogan and Hunwick will split starts beginning this weekend at Bowling Green. Berenson said he will evaluate the situation monthly, using weekend series and daily practices to determine who will eventually get the permanent nod.

Hogan and Hunwick said the weekly auditions sharpen their individual efforts, knowing they have limited opportunities to make a positive impression. Last weekend, Hunwick was sharp for the most part in a 4-4 tie against Mercyhurst before Hogan made 27 saves in a 4-2 exhibition win over Western Ontario.

If anything, competing against one another on a daily basis has brought the two goalies closer together. Last season, the classmates roomed on the road in a time when Berenson said their roles became reversed.

Now, with both goalies working for the same job, Berenson expects a battle that will not only make Hogan and Hunwick better, but ultimately, his entire team.

"I think they really get along good, and it's a very respectful competition," Berenson said. "Yeah, they want to see the other guy do well, but they know they have to do well themselves."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.