Peter Cronin was the definition of a workhorse goalie at Boston College High School. From his freshman season to his senior year, the Norwell resident started started 74 consecutive games, registered 19 shutouts and a 1.95 goals against average with a .930 save percentage.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Cronin is exhibiting a similar work ethic as a sophomore at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He has made 17 starts for the Polar Bears (10-7-3, 6-5-3 NESCAC) and backboned Bowdoin on its current six-game winning streak.

Cronin was tabbed the NESCAC’s Player of Week last month after yielding just four goals during a 3-0 stretch: 29 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory that stopped the University of New England’s 10-game unbeaten streak, 33 stops in a 1-0 shutout of Williams, and a 39-save performance in a 2-1 victory over Middlebury.

An athletic, poised goalie who reads the play well, he also delivered 46 stops in a scoreless tie against Amherst. Cronin skated for the South Shore Kings for one season after graduating from BC High.

Q. What was your first experience playing goal?

A. When I was 6, I tried out for the South Shore Kings youth program as a forward. The first day of practice one goalie couldn’t make it and I threw on the goalie equipment. For whatever reason, I fell in love with the position. So I guess it was fate.

Q. What has been the difference for the Polar Bears in the winning streak?

A. We are a young team and we went through some growing pains but I think we just got to the point where we’ve started to buy into a different system as of late and we’re hitting our stride. More importantly, we’re starting to believe in ourselves.

Q. And your stellar play?

A. This season I came in knowing that I was the only goalie with any playing time. But it’s college hockey, and I knew I’d still have to earn it. Even though we’re on a nice run, I’m never too comfortable. I know those guys are right there looking over my shoulder, so you can’t take a day off.

Q. Your coach is in his 33d season behind the Bowdoin bench. What is it like to play for a Terry Meagher-coached team?

A. It’s tough not to be confident in your coach when he’s probably seen just about everything there is to see in a hockey rink. He never panics and always has his team’s back.

Q. How did your time at BC High prepare you for college hockey?

A. My freshman year, I shared time with Joe Young (of Hanson), but he left to play club hockey and plays for Union College now. I was a workhorse at BC High but I’m thankful to coach [John] Flaherty who stuck with me when things were good and when they were bad and always gave me a fair shake. I always felt confident and it was a big help to my development and where I am today.

Q. Any pre-game rituals?

A. I’ve got a laundry list of them. I get to the rink about two hours before the puck drops. I go out in the stands with my catching glove and I just visualize the rink and I have the same [music] playlist. For warmups, I’ll juggle with a racquetball and jump rope and get the legs going a bit. It’s a mix of mental and physical stuff to get into the zone, because you can’t take much of a mental break during that 60 minutes.

Q. Where is the best place to grab dinner near campus?

A. I’d say Amato’s Sandwich Shop [on Route 1 South in Brunswick]. They do a lot of catering for the hockey team. They have good Italian food. They make a great homestyle pizza. I usually get the classic pepperoni pizza, but they make a great meat calzone too.

— JOHN JOHNSON