Michigan Hockey: #10 University of Nebraska-Omaha (4-0-0) at #4 MICHIGAN (2-0-2) — Preview

Posted at 8:00am — 10/22/2010

Michigan Hockey: #10 University of Nebraska-Omaha (4-0-0) at #4 MICHIGAN (2-0-2) — Preview

MICHIGAN Hockey Preps For A Re-Energized UNO Program

Friday 10/22 7:35 p.m. & Saturday 10/23 7:35 p.m. Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Mi.
TV: None. Streamed on BigTenNetwork.com

New Conference, New Attitude

Veteran future Hall of Fame coach Dean Blais has big plans for his UNO Maverick program. After all, his resume includes two National Championships with the now perennially powerful North Dakota Fighting Sioux, countless WCHA pennants and a gold medal from the USA U20 Junior Hockey Team last year. He took over the helm at UNO last season after spending some time in the NHL and guided the Mavs to a 20-16-6 overall mark in 2009-10 and a sixth place finish in their CCHA swansong.

UNO spent eleven innocuous seasons in the CCHA prior to announcing their jump to the WCHA starting this season. Their overall record in the CCHA- 120-138-47 (6-24-3 against Michigan) was “unacceptable” to their fervent fan base. Although they had never won a title in the CCHA, they made three appearances in the CCHA semi-finals at Joe Louis Arena, with their biggest moment coming at the expense of Michigan. They surprised the Wolverines in their 1999-00 inaugural season by beating them 7-4 in the CCHA semi-finals and moved on to the CCHA championship game. The program was stagnant- save a few bright moments- after that, though, and needed a change. So at the end of the 2008-09 season, the university moved longtime coach Mike Kemp into another role and changed the athletic department leadership. The move, coupled with the hiring of new A.D. (and former Nebraska Cornhusker) Trev Alberts, gave hope to the UNO faithful that the university would be committed to bigger and better things. Then, UNO announced an agreement to join the WCHA, a league that better suites its geographical location and rivalries from their Division II roots. Blais and his credentials were then enticed to take over the program. It was also announced that the Mavs would break ground on their own on-campus arena that would end the budget draining costs of leasing a local arena. Things appeared to be progressing for the success starved program. It seems that the only missing pieces would be the upgraded recruiting not only to compete with the rigors of what is a more difficult conference, but the removal of the mental block that prevented UNO to consistently beat other national powers and gain respect. The non conference schedule was upgraded, and the conference schedule in the WCHA automatically boosted the program’s PWR potential for NCAA tournament consideration. By all indications, Blais has changed the program attitude and is changing the roster accordingly to mold his team to fit the physical and up tempo style of the WCHA.

Not Quite Ready For Primetime…. But Close

Blais gave notice to the CCHA that he wasn’t waiting around to instill his system and get the most out of his roster. The Mavericks had always competed well in the league, but could never overcome the programs that usually sat at the top of the standings. Last season, though, UNO sent a message to league giants like Michigan and Miami, by beating them. Soundly. The Wolverines wobbled into Omaha last February trying to regroup and make a run at a top four league position for the playoffs. The Mavs, stinging from a nine game winless string against Michigan, swept the Wolverines and sent them into a freefall. It was the first time that Michigan had suffered a sweep to UNO. The Mavs marched into Oxford and defeated Miami to split a series against the #1 team in the country. They ended the season by defeating #6 Bemidji State. Although they were tripped up in the CCHA playoffs, the Mavericks were primed to move on this season stocked with experience, talent and an underrated freshmen class for 2010-11.

Beefy Lineup

Nebraska Omaha’s roster is suited to line up on the gridiron as well as on the ice. They boast the tallest and heaviest roster in college hockey, roughly averaging 6’1” and 200 lbs to a man. They are not void of offensive talent and some speed, either. UNO is led by their six seniors, including leading points earner forward Rich Purslow (3-6-9), who is also an impressive +7 on the season. Matt Ambroz (6’4” 207 lb) has already tallied 5-3-8 this season. Playmaking center Joey Martin (1-6-7) usually lines up with Purslow. The blueline features seniors Eric Olimb (6’0” 203 lb) who has registered six assists so far. 6’4” 222 lb defenseman Nick Van Bokern and 6’5” 225 lb. defenseman Pasko Skarica. Watch out for Junior Alex Hudson (3-5-8), Sophomore Terry Broadhurst (2-3-5, +6) and Freshman Matt White (4-2-6.) The top two lines are as capable as most any you will see in college hockey. Just for grins, I’ll mention freshmen newcomers Ryan Walters, Johnny Searfoss, Zahn Raubenheimer, defenseman Andrej Sustr (6’8” 200 lbs) from the Czech Republic, defenseman Tony Turgeon (6’4” 228 lbs) and aggressive defenseman Michael Young (6’3” 213 lbs, +6). All six have made an impact this season- with Raubenheimer scoring the first goal of the season and Young being ejected for (2) HFB majors this season.

Ottawa Sens draft choice sophomore (defenseman) Bryce Aneloski (6’2” 207) is one of two draft choices on the roster along with 6’2” 224 lb forward Brent Gwidt. No team is going to push around the Mavericks.

Sophomore John Faulkner appears to be in line for most starts in net. He has a 4-0-0 record with a 2.25 GAA and a .928 save %.

The Mavericks have ten freshmen, most of which have seen game action. The WCHA media and coaches were not betting that UNO would jump immediately into the upper echelon of the league, picking them to finish 8th or 9th in conference. Although early, UNO has sent a shot over their collective bow, marching into Mariucci arena last weekend and sweeping the (recently irrelevant) Minnesota Gophers 5-4, 4-2 for their first ever WCHA conference wins. They also won their own opening Stampede tournament by defeating a downtrodden Clarkson team and beat last year’s Cinderella darling in the Frozen Four, RIT. It’s hard to gage if this team is really as good as it has shown, leading the country in average goals (5.5) and 7th in PP% at 31.6%. They also have a respectable 2.25 GA mark (10th) and a fair 88.2% PK (11th). Not surprisingly, they do take penalties, though, averaging 20.5 minutes per game (10th). It seems that last season’s road woes are behind them, as the Mavs only won four games away from Omaha last year, with one of those wins against Miami late in the season. They have never started a season 5-0 and look to take that step at Yost- a house of horrors for them- where they have only mustered a 1-14 record. Blais, by the way, is 4-1-1 against Red Berenson all time, with two victories last season with UNO, and 2-1-1 as the skipper for the Fighting Sioux. He has never won at Yost arena and lost the epic 1998 NCAA regional final to Michigan, 4-3.

Wolverine Notes:

Louie Caporusso was held scoreless last weekend, but still boasts a 2-4-6 +2 mark. Luke Glendening leads the team with a +4 rating. Carl Hagelin (1-4-5), d-man Brandon Burlon (2-2-4), Matt Rust 2-2-4, and D-man Jon Merrill 1-3-4 lead the offensive attack so far. Scooter Vaughn has added two goals so far this season.

Michigan moved their goals for average to 3.75 (14th), while their GA average moved to 2.5 (15th). They lead the NCAA in PP% at 41.2% thanks to last Saturday’s 3 for 3 performance. The PK is at 86.7% (13th). Unfortunately, the one stat that has really bitten them this season is their penalties. They remain 1st overall in the country taking an average of 26.2 minutes per game. No doubt that this factored into the two ties this season AND the closeness of the Saturday game at BG. Red was fairly glib about the penalties on Saturday, stating that (and I paraphrase) UNH is a good team, but got help from the HEA officials due to some of the six penalties they were issued.

Keys To The Weekend:

There are various storylines intermingling with this match-up. I mentioned the Blais/Berenson history, as well as the poor outcomes UNO has had at Yost. This is a different team- maybe the best that Michigan fans have seen yet from this program. I would guess that the UNO players will be fueled by the lopsided history, the CCHA defection and the hatred that seeps out towards the “Michi-goon weasels” from their fanbase. Red will certainly not let his veteran players forget about the double dunking they got in Omaha last year. That said:

1. Jump on this team early. Their success last weekend was predicated on surging out to big early leads against the Gophers. How? Make their lumbering defensemen take penalties. Execute the PP.

2. Keep it simple, especially in the defensive zone. This team will work it deep, cycle, and pound our defensemen. Their defense is trained to pinch when needed to keep the offensive pressure on and wear out the defense. They will shoot frequently because of the big bodies in front of the net. It is important to clear the trash, since this team’s success has been on rebounds. Use the board to spring the forwards on odd man breaks.

3. Don’t become frustrated. UNO works hard and is sticky to play against. They will give up scoring chances because their forwards tend to get caught and their defense is big and slow. Use the transition speed, but don’t get caught in transition, either.

4. It will be hard to contain all of UNO’s snipers, but winning faceoffs, covering assignments and closing the gaps between the defensemen and the forwards will help.

5. Protect the goaltender by blocking shots and forcing UNO’s forwards to the outside. Matt Hunwick will start on Friday, Bryan Hogan on Saturday.

6. Last, but most important- stay disciplined. UNO will hurt you on special teams, and has the type of team that plays with an edge. Do not be goaded into stupid retaliatory penalties.

This should be an entertaining couple of games featuring two good teams (and fanbases) that do not like each other. Hopefully the officiating will match the intensity and not choke it.

Yostmeister’s Prediction:

Friday:

Michigan 4 UNO 3

Saturday:

UNO 5 Michigan 4

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!