Mavericks set record against Redhawks Z Brian Brashaw
Dan Ellis recorded his second shutout in three games, and the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks set a new school record for consecutive wins with seven after a 2-0 blanking of the Miami Redhawks Friday.
“I thought we were thorough. I was pleased with the overall effort, because I thought it was a solid win,” Maverick head coach Mike Kemp said.
In the second period, an injury to Maverick defenseman Zach Scribner landed Chris Claffey back at his original position of defense, and Claffey immediately paid dividends with his second goal of the season. On his first shift on the blue line, Claffey pulled the trigger and scored at 5:25 to give UNO a 1-0 lead.
UNO’s second goal of the evening came 12:13 into the second. Defenseman Greg Zanon lined up from the blue line and fired. The shot went high, but bounced off the boards right to Jeff Hoggan, who was standing right outside the cage. Hoggan swept the puck in as he was falling.
The Mavericks have now scored a power-play goal in six straight games.
“That one is in the playbook now,” Hoggan joked. “I felt it buzz by my ear, and I just followed the puck, and it came right on my stick.”
On the defensive play of the Mavericks of late (one goal against in three games, five in their last five), Ellis said, “These guys are doing an unbelievable job right now. They are clearing guys out, blocking pucks, eliminating the second opportunities, and making my job a lot easier.”
The penalty killing unit could be credited as well. The Mavericks killed six penalties Friday, and have only allowed two power-play goals on 49 opportunities since the New Year.
