Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.Whatever combination of 12 forwards UNO dresses for a particular game, four of them have scored three points or less.
Keep in mind, of course, that the Mavericks are an upper-division WCHA team contending for home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
"We don't really go into the game looking to score, but it's obviously an added bonus when we do," said freshman forward Dominic Zombo, speaking for the Mavs' role players.
The good news for Mav fans, as Nos. 4 and 5 Minnesota comes to the CenturyLink Center for games Friday and Saturday nights, is that UNO's lower-line contributions are starting to come a little more frequently.
Zombo, a freshman, got his first goal in Saturday's 5-3 victory at Colorado College. It was the first goal of that game and was considered — in UNO circles — payback for having Zombo's game-tying goal with 2:56 left in regulation taken away Friday. Following video review, officials determined that Zombo had kicked the puck into the net.
"I didn't even see the puck. ... I was looking for it to hit my tape and it went off my skate," Zombo said. "I couldn't kick it, because I didn't see it."
Earlier in the third period Friday, senior defenseman Matt Smith, playing his 72nd career game, had pulled UNO within 4-3 with his second career goal — his first of the season.
"Every once in a while, someone's got to score a goal," Smith said. "Last weekend, our role players came through, showed up when we needed a point."
A stay-at-home defenseman, Smith had previously put only two shots on goal all season — once in each game at Michigan Tech the weekend before.
"My dad told me I've got the highest shooting percentage (.333) on the team," Smith said, laughing.
Meanwhile Friday, sophomore forward Zahn Raubenheimer — ninth among UNO's active forwards with one goal and two assists for three points — was all over the ice, put five shots on goal, hitting the post on a second-period shot.
"I think everyone could see that Zahn was the best forward on the ice Friday," said Ryan Walters, one of the Mavs' second-line forwards.
Andrew Schmit's only point was the game-winning goal against then-No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 14. Brian O'Rourke, a defenseman filling in at right wing because of injuries, has been impressive, too.
What does all this mean?
"It takes so much pressure off Matt White and Terry Broadhurst," UNO coach Dean Blais said.
White leads UNO with 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points. Broadhurst, his linemate, is right behind with 16 goals and 35 points. Freshman Jayson Megna, who recently settled in as the top-line center, has 11 goals and 29 points.
Walters (10-14-24), Brock Montpetit (5-11-16) and Josh Archibald (10-5-15) have solidified as the second line.
Behind them, assistant captain Brent Gwidt (5-8-13) has filled in nicely playing out of position at center. Johnnie Searfoss (3-9-12) has seen his production drop during his sophomore season, but he did have a power-play goal on Friday.
Beyond them, Raubenheimer has been on the Gwidt-Searfoss line.
The fourth line, often centered by an out-of-position Zombo, has included the likes of O'Rourke, Schmit, midseason addition Joe Krause, Alex Simonson and James Polk. Those six have combined for two goals and one assist.
"We can't have the Whites and the Broadhursts to have to score every single game," Zombo said. "That puts a lot of pressure on them. If someone like me or Zahn or Smitty scores a goal, that really helps boost the team."
Blais is seeing it in practice. And he just can't wait for it to carry over into games.
Last week, he said Searfoss could potentially score a goal per game for the rest of the season, and Searfoss promptly scored the next game. He said Zombo had looked good in practice, and Zombo scored a goal — or two, depending on your perspective.
This week?
"I wouldn't be surprised if James Polk scores a goal this weekend," Blais said of the freshman, whose only point in 22 games was an assist against Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 14. "He's been doing everything he needs to do."
Contact the writer:
402-444-1027, rob.white@owh.com
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