Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.UNO likes to play an up-tempo, offensive style of hockey. But when it's necessary, the Mavericks can play a little defense, too.
They boast the top penalty-killing unit in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after a perfect weekend in a split against top-ranked and defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth.
"That was the difference for the weekend," University of Nebraska at Omaha coach Dean Blais said of the penalty-killing team's 9-for-9 success rate. "It was fantastic."
Against the high-scoring Bulldogs, who feature national points leader Jack Connolly, J.T. Brown (10th) and Travis Oleksuk (tied for 13th), UNO repelled every power-play chance, including two five-minute majors.
"Your best penalty-killers are your goaltenders, but the guys didn't give them a lot of time (to make decisions)," Blais said. "Our guys were great with their sticks and their angling and in blocking shots. It was a real credit to the players and their execution of what they should be doing on the penalty kill."
UNO has killed off 32 of its past 33 penalties (97.0 percent) to increase its success percentage to 84.5 (71 of 84) for the season.
While that ranks 13th nationally, it's also worth noting that nine of the top 20 power-play units in the country are from the WCHA.
And that group includes Minnesota State-Mankato, 20th in power-play percentage at 20.5 (25 for 122), which hosts UNO in a two-game series this weekend. Game times are 7:37 p.m. Friday and 7:07 p.m. Saturday.
"Our goaltending and our defensemen blocking shots have been the biggest things," UNO forward Matt White said. "You just want to get in the way enough to block a pass or maybe not have them shoot at the moment they want."
In WCHA games, UNO's penalty-kill ranks third with an 82.8 percent success rate (53 of 64).
UNO's penalty-kill combinations often depend upon how the opponents' power play prefers to attack.
Typically, UNO's top penalty-kill unit includes White, Brock Montpetit or Terry Broadhurst manning two of the three forward spots, with Bryce Aneloski and Michael Young the top defensemen.
Forwards Brent Gwidt and Johnnie Searfoss spend quality minutes on the penalty-kill, along with a group of defensemen that includes the injured Andrej Sustr, Matt Smith, Kyle Ensign and Tony Turgeon. Freshman forwards Josh Archibald and Jayson Megna are also beginning to have more prominent roles on the penalty-kill.
Minnesota State's top power-play threat is Jean-Paul Lafontaine, a freshman who is tied for seventh in the country and tied for fourth in the WCHA with seven power-play goals. Lafontaine is the nephew of Hockey Hall of Famer Pat Lafontaine.
"The way we kill is a little aggressive," White said. "And we have to stay that way this weekend because they have a great power play. They've got dangerous players on their team who can put the puck in the net on power plays."
White has also found a way to turn the penalty-kill into scoring chances — he's tied for second in the country with three short-handed goals.
But that doesn't mean penalty-killers are merely offensive players biding their time until it's time to play even strength again.
"It's a privilege to be on the penalty-kill," said White, an assistant captain. "We know we have to work hard when we're out there."
UNO's 18 power-play goals and four short-handed goals, against its opponents' 13 power-play goals and three shorties, gives it a special teams net of plus-9 that ranks second in the league behind Minnesota.
And, as the least-penalized team in the WCHA, the Mavs don't have to spend too much time playing a man down.
Still, there's always work to be done.
"We still have to be a little more aggressive forcing in the offensive zone. But in the defensive zone, the guys have done a great job with stick position, pressuring the puck carrier and angling," Blais said. "Your penalty killers have to anticipate what the offense is trying to do and then get in those shot lanes. And sometimes it means getting hit with the puck."
• NOTES: UNO's first goal in Saturday's game, originally credited to Broadhurst, was later awarded to Montpetit. Both attempted to deflect a slap shot by Aneloski. ... Sustr (wrist) is expected to sit out this weekend, but could return for the Bemidji State series Feb. 3 and 4.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1027, rob.white@owh.com
twitter.com/RWhiteOWH
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