OMAHA, Neb. – Senior
Evan Weninger had 44 saves to backstop the Omaha hockey team to a 4-0 shutout of No. 16/14 Arizona State on Saturday at Baxter Arena.
Mason Morelli finished off a seven-point weekend with two goals and an assist as the Mavericks earned their first sweep of the season. They beat the Sun Devils 6-4 on Friday night.
Omaha won its third straight and fourth in the last five games to improve to 4-7-1 overall. Arizona State dropped to 10-6-0 this season.
The Mavericks forged ahead on a power play just 5:05 into the first period. Morelli picked up the rebound of a shot by
Taylor Ward and threw a backhander by goalie Joey Daccord. It marked the first time the Mavericks had scored first since opening night at Union on Oct. 12.
Omaha stretched its lead during a penalty kill early in the second period.
Riley Alferd picked off a drop pass at the Sun Devils' blue line, cut across the crease and beat Daccord with a backhander at 1:38.
The lead grew to 3-0 five minutes later when
Fredrik Olofsson was able to put back a shot by
Kevin Conley at 6:39.
Morelli finished the scoring in the third, potting an empty net goal at 17:54 for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Weninger earned his fifth career shutout, moving him in to third all-time in UNO history. He is now just one away from tying John Faulkner.
The Mavericks return to NCHC play next weekend, hosting Colorado College on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
GAME NOTES:
- The shutout was the first for the Mavericks since a 3-0 blanking of North Dakota in Grand Forks on Feb. 25, 2017. In that game, Weninger made 22 saves.
- The Mavericks stopped all four Arizona State power plays in the game and have now killed 19 straight.
- Omaha also went 1-for-5 on the power play, giving them at least one power play goal in 11 of their 12 games this season.
- Olofsson extended his scoring streak to a team season-high five games.
- The Mavericks improved to 2-5-1 in non-conference games this season. They also are now 5-2-1 all-time against Arizona State including a mark of 5-0-1 at Baxter Arena.
Three Stars: 1.
Evan Weninger/UNO – 44 saves; 2.
Mason Morelli/UNO – Two goals, one assist; 3.
Riley Alferd/UNO – One goal