Mavs look to continue road success at Michigan

Yost Ice Arena. Ann Arbor, Mich.

By Nate Tenopir

Senior Staff Writer

As the new member of an esteemed organization it’s usually proper etiquette to make your entrance lightly and show appreciation to your hosts.

 UNO had no such designs last weekend when they went up to Minnesota, kicked in the doors of Mariucci arena and announced their presence.

After having won only 4 games on the road all of last season, the Mavs went into one of the most historically tough places to play in all of college hockey and took both games. Rather than fold under the pressure of a new conference against new opponents, UNO came out and did what they do best: skate.

From early on in the first game, the Mavericks were controlling the pace of play and had outshot the Gophers 8-3 by the first TV timeout. When the period had ended, UNO had a 20-6 shot advantage and a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard.

While the extra 15 feet of width at Mariucci Arena may have had some impact, the Mavs preparation in the off-season is more likely the reason they found the success they did. Coach Dean Blais’ system calls for guys who have speed, endurance, and can press the play up and down the ice.

While one weekend doesn’t answer all the questions about switching to the ultra-successful WCHA, it does give you a sense of what the Mavs should be able to do all season long. Though they’ll often be facing teams with more highly touted talent and experience throughout the roster, their skating ability should keep them in most contests.

It’s something they’ll have to rely on again this weekend as they take their 4-0 record to Michigan and Yost Ice Arena. Although the wins at then No. 13 Minnesota were cause for some celebration, those feelings will have to be put aside quickly as the Mavs are sure to face a tougher test against the third and fourth ranked Wolverines.

Michigan (2-0-2), who won the CCHA tournament last year, was the coaches’ preseason pick to win the conference this season. Unlike the Gophers, the Wolverines feature several star playmakers that can turn a game at a moment’s notice.

The three that led the team are senior forwards Carl Hagelin, Louie Caporusso and Matt Rust. All three scored over 40 points last season and played in all of Michigan’s 45 games. In addition, the Wolverines welcome back 12 forwards, five defensemen and their top five point producers. Between the pipes Michigan will also have returning seniors in Shawn Hunwick and Bryan Hogan.

Hunwick took over for an injured Hogan late last year and posted a 7-1 mark earning him the right to split time at the position. So far this year he has appeared in three contests posting a .922 save percentage and 2.53 goals against mark while Hogan has seen action in one game adding an .889 save percentage and 2.00 GAA.

One interesting factor to be on the lookout for is the penalty situation. So far this season, the Mavs have had three games in which a player was guilty of a major penalty and ejected from the game. Twice on those major penalties another Mav was sent to the box putting the team in five-on-three situations. However, the team was able to kill off both five-on-three penalties and hold an 88 percent penalty kill mark so far this year.

The Mavs have also shown the ability to improve on this factor from game to game. In the first weekend of the year, the power play chances given up dropped from five on Friday against Clarkson to three on Saturday against RIT. Though UNO gave up seven chances in the Friday game at Minnesota, they bounced back to allow on two on Saturday. 

UNO is enjoying high marks on their power play chances as well. The Mavericks have scored a power play goal in each game besides last Saturday’s contest with Minnesota and hold a 32 percent mark for the season.

Translating all of that into success at Michigan this weekend will be a tough task. In the 15 games in Ann Arbor, UNO has won only one all time. Granted, most of those UNO teams didn’t go into Michigan as highly ranked or regarded as they are right now. But not all of them were facing a top five team with as much promise as the Wolverines have this season.

Prediction: 1-0-1 on the weekend

Friday: Michigan scores early in the third to take a two goal lead and cruises to victory, 4-2.

Saturday: UNO gets a game-tying goal with under 10 minutes to go and holds on for a point, 3-3.