Ryan Massa and Josh Archibald are back and Andrej Sustr is close.
As UNO continues to prepare for its weekend WCHA series with Bemidji State, it's possible that Massa could return as the Mavericks' goaltender after suffering a concussion Jan. 20 at Minnesota State-Mankato and sitting out the following game, coach Dean Blais said.
Meanwhile, Blais has reversed course on Archibald and moved the freshman back to right wing after considering having him center the Mavs' top line.
And Sustr, the sophomore defenseman who has been among the Mavs' best blue-liners this season, is considered 50-50 to play after missing the past five games with a wrist injury.
Massa (5-3-1) is 16th in the country with a 2.20 goals-against average and 14th with a .926 save percentage. He would have started the second game of the Mankato series, Blais said, making it the first time all year the freshman had started both games of a series.
After missing a week of practice, Massa returned this week and reported good flexibility in his neck and no headaches. Still, seeing him in goal this weekend isn't a guarantee. John Faulkner, last year's iron man, and Dayn Belfour, who has been up and down, are still viable options.
"We've just got to see if he's right back where he was," Blais said of Massa. "Is he looking sharp and stopping the pucks that he should, and does he look comfortable? He's looked pretty good, but not quite as sharp as in previous weeks. It's tough when you've been out.
"We'll probably make that decision Friday at noon."
The games with Bemidji State are Friday at 7:37 p.m. and Saturday at 7:07 p.m.
Archibald was thrown in at center Jan. 21 when Brock Montpetit was hit with a game misconduct late in the first period, and Blais liked the look so much (Archibald added his second goal of the game, plus an assist) that he kept him there during practice last week.
But now freshman center Jayson Megna will stake with top-line wingers Terry Broadhurst and Matt White, with Archibald manning the right wing on a second line centered by Montpetit that includes left wing Ryan Walters.
"We just need a right winger," Blais said. "If you look at our right wing, other than Matt White, it's pretty inexperienced.
"If something happens, heaven forbid, we know we've got Josh ... and he can be a valuable centerman for us."
Sustr, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, had been one of the Mavs' most valuable defensemen, logging major ice time before cracking a bone in his wrist when he was hit while pinned against the boards in a Dec. 30 game with Quinnipiac.
He's been skating with an orange (no contact) jersey in practice.
"I'll try to play this weekend," Sustr said. "But it's day-to-day, and we'll probably decide on Friday."
Kids Hockey Day set for Sunday
Kids ages 8 to 12 have a chance to learn more about hockey from UNO players and coaches during Kids Hockey Day, which will be Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the CenturyLink Center.
Current and former UNO players and coaches will cover six aspects of hockey at various stations. An autograph session will follow.
Those interested are encouraged to sign up early, as space is limited. The cost is $25 each. Participants receive a T-shirt, a game puck, and a ticket to the Feb. 24 game with Minnesota.
For information, contact Alyssa Grewcock at 402-554-4098 or agrewcock@unomaha.edu.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1027, rob.white@owh.com
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