Gateway

Issue date: 12/1/09 Section: Sports

Western Michigan goaltender Riley Gill watches as Alex Hudson's shot heads into the net for the game-winning goal Friday night. The Mavs won 4-3. (Michelle Bishop/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

UNO goaltender John Faulkner prepares to block a shot by Western Michigan's Kyle O'Kane as UNO's Alex Hudson helps defend during Saturday's game. (Michelle Bishop/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

The UNO hockey team earned its first series sweep of the season when it defeated Western Michigan 4-2 Saturday night at Qwest Center Omaha.

The Mavs improved to 7-4-3 overall and 4-4-2-1 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with the sweep.

"It was a great weekend for us. We really needed it," senior defenseman Eddie DelGrosso said. "We showed a lot of resilience and hopefully we can build off this."

After edging Western Michigan 4-3 the night before, snapping a three-game losing streak, the Mavericks came out determined to get a more convincing win Saturday night.

The Mavs got on the board first with a power-play goal by junior forward Matt Ambroz. Ambroz deflected a long slap shot past the Broncos' goalie Jerry Kuhn to give the Mavs a 1-0 lead 12:45 into the first period. Junior defenseman Eric Olimb and sophomore forward Ryan Kretzer were credited with the assists.

Western Michigan tied the game 12:37 into the second period on a goal by forward Cam Watson. Watson banged a loose puck past redshirt freshman John Faulkner to even the score 1-1.

DelGrosso put the Mavericks back up 2-1 with more than a minute left in the second period. DelGrosso scored on a one-touch pass from freshman forward Terry Broadhurst. Kretzer picked up the secondary assist.

The Broncos scored just seconds into the third period to tie the game again 2-2. A bouncing puck got past Faulkner, but that proved to be the Broncos' last goal of the night. Forward Ian Slater was credited with the goal.

UNO regained the lead minutes later when Olimb gathered a loose puck and beat Kuhn to make the score 3-2.

"The guys didn't panic," head coach Dean Blais said. "From that point on, I thought we took control of the game and didn't give them any chances."

It was clear the Mavs wouldn't let the Broncos get back in the game as they did on Friday night. UNO had all the momentum and spent much of the third period in the offensive zone, generating several scoring chances.

"I think our speed is better than in years past," Olimb said. "We're better conditioned to skate with teams later in games."

DelGrosso added the insurance marker, a power play goal with 1:02 left in the game. It was DelGrosso's second of the night.

UNO cruised to victory, outshooting Western Michigan 29-10. It was the Broncos' lowest shot total in school history.

Blais was quick to recognize DelGrosso's big game afterwards.

"On that first goal, it was a give and go, and he just had another gear to the net," he said. "The second goal was just a great shot by Eddie. He finds a way of getting his shots because he's a good, smart skater."

Faulkner started the game in net for the Mavs and registered eight saves. He improved his record to 5-3-2 on the season.

The Mavs face two tough road tests in the weeks to come. First is a two game series on the road against nationally ranked Ferris State on Dec. 4 and 5. The week after, UNO makes its annual road trip to Alaska to take on Alaska-Fairbanks, another nationally ranked team, for another two-game series.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools