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The Mavericks' captain is one of the fastest skaters in Division I hockey. After being limited to 30 games last season because of injury, the Orland Park, Ill., native started this season with 14 goals in 15 games. The 6-foot, 170-pound junior forward had a 12-game goal-scoring drought before breaking through for two more goals in Saturday's 6-4 loss to Bemidji State.

Q: You've only gotten one win against Bemidji State in the last 10 meetings (in two seasons), how frustrating is that for you guys?

A: It's extremely frustrating. The way these two teams are, they're almost polar opposites. They're a very systematic team. We don't play many systems — our coach lets us be very creative and play up-and-down hockey. When two teams like that are playing against each other, it's difficult. Give them credit, they find ways to score, and when they do score they lock it down. It's a tough game for us. We can't get in a flow. It's not a flowing game — lots of whistles, stoppages, icings — it's not fun hockey to play and I'm sure it's not fun hockey to watch. But nevertheless, one in 10 is unacceptable against any team.

Q: You outshot Bemidji State 21-5 in the second period, yet still went into the third period trailing by a goal, just like you had come into the second period. How difficult is that?

A: Obviously we were getting our chances. I thought we were going pretty hard there. We were playing catch-up the whole game and that's tough to do. No matter what the shots are, goals are goals, whether you have 10 shots or 40 shots. If they're scoring four goals out of those 10 shots, we've got to score five. It's frustrating when you look at the shots, but at the same time we can't allow that many goals. (Goalie) Ryan (Massa) played well again . those goals aren't his fault. Those are defensive lapses, not blocking shots, things like that.

Q: People are excited about the recruiting class UNO is putting together, and you know one of those guys fairly well. He's a forward from the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. Alex Broadhurst. What do you think?

A: He's doing really well (18 goals, 24 assists, 42 points). He's earned all the accolades he's gotten and is very deserving of them, and when he's gotten opportunities he takes advantage of them. He's a good kid and a hard-working kid, and it will be exciting when he comes in. I'm looking forward to it, and I know our parents are — it will save them quite a few road trips with us both in the same spot."

Q: What do you think Alex will bring to the program?

A: I think he's going to fit in well here. And he knows a couple of the other guys coming in, and I've seen a couple of them play, too. It's another good recruiting class. The biggest thing that brings everything together is their work ethic. All those guys are just hard-working guys. Once you have that as the base that you can build upon, you can do dangerous things.

Q: Have you and Alex ever played on the same team? Would you play on the same line?

A: Only in rookie camp with the (Chicago) Blackhawks (Alex was a seventh-round pick last year), but other than that not much. Maybe in the streets, but mostly just playing each other down in the basement. I think we'd be a good match. He's an extremely smart player. I guess if anything I'd probably have to give him the puck more. I like playing off him, because he can create quite a bit and I can use my speed to get open a bit more. If we did get to play together, it'd be nice if we could develop some chemistry. Anyone who has a brother knows that to be able to play together and be successful is something pretty special.

Q: You finally broke your goal drought (on a power-play rebound) and then got a second goal when the puck took a bad bounce off the boards (Bemidji State goaltender Dan Bakala was caught behind the net as the puck bounced to Broadhurst in front). As many bad bounces as there seem to be at the CenturyLink Center, could you almost expect something like that to happen?

A: I definitely wasn't anticipating it. I knew (Michael Young) was going to get it deep, so I was just going hard to the back wall and trying to pick up the puck and I got a fortunate bounce. I'll take one of those, especially after the little bit of a dry spell I've been on. I guess it makes up for some of those unlucky bounces that haven't gone in.

Q: Bemidji State scored two goals almost instantly after two of UNO's goals (Saturday). Is it possible you guys got a little too high after scoring goals?

A: Maybe it's just not paying enough attention to detail and being a little lackadaisical on those next few shifts. Those are the most important shifts. If you don't keep it going after you get a goal, they can get the momentum right back, and that's what happened.

Q: After getting only one point against Bemidji State, how does that affect the way you guys approach the rest of the season?

A: We're playing some good teams down the stretch, so it's a good opportunity. They're in front of us in the Pairwise rankings and we're right around each other in the standings. They're important games. Our fate is in our hands as far as that goes. If we win we can take care of business, get a good seed and get home-ice advantage. As far as the power rankings go, you never know what can happen. Right now we're just trying to get points every weekend. I think right now we need to take a good look in the mirror at this team come Monday and be ready to go. Because this weekend, Minnesota State (UNO's previous series), it just seems like we can't get on a roll. We keep taking a step ahead and two steps back. We really need to re-evaluate and put whatever it is — whether it's stuff away from the rink or stuff inside the locker room — we need to figure it out, get on the same page and start playing team hockey. That's what this team is built on. That's what we worked all summer for. Being one unit . that's what we need to get back to.

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