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Published Thursday February 23, 2006 Mavs still have plenty of stake in CCHA finale BY CHAD PURCELL
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

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After going six weeks with only one loss and moving from last to fourth place in the CCHA standings, it seems unthinkable the University of Nebraska at Omaha would cool off this weekend at Western Michigan.

But there are no gimmes in college hockey, and so it's no surprise to hear the Mavs giving the Broncos so much respect.

Western Michigan is 7-22-5 overall and in last place in the CCHA with a 6-16-4 league record. The Mavs can lock up a top-four conference finish - and the first-round CCHA playoff bye that comes with it - by taking two points from the Broncos in Kalamazoo, Mich.

"We've worked really hard to get in this position," UNO junior defenseman Mike Eickman said. "But it's important we stay on edge for this series. We're feeling pretty confident right now, but we absolutely can't take this team lightly, especially in their barn."

The Mavs, now ranked No. 10 and No. 13, take the longest unbeaten streak in the country (6-0-3) into their final regular-season series at Lawson Arena. Western Michigan is 1-6-1 since Jan. 28, with its only victory during that stretch a non-conference overtime win over Bemidji State.

UNO coach Mike Kemp, however, still regards the Broncos as a dangerous team. Kemp compared Western Michigan's style of play to Notre Dame in that both teams like to clog up passing lanes and slow down the flow of the game.

And Notre Dame, of course, came to Omaha in early January and left town with a win and a tie.

Western Michigan turned in an impressive sweep over Ohio State earlier this season. The Broncos also took three of four points in series against both Michigan State and Northern Michigan in 2005-06.

"To put it bluntly, I don't think their record reflects the talent on that team," Kemp said of the Broncos. "They're going to be a hard team to play against because they're physical, they have size and they use it. Against those types of teams, we've had some tough going, so we need to be up for the challenge."

The Broncos have one of the most dangerous scorers in the league in senior winger Brent Walton, who ranks sixth in the CCHA with 35 points. With 22 goals, Walton is second in the conference and trails UNO's Bill Thomas by only two goals.

Western Michigan also has a capable goalie in sophomore Daniel Bellissimo. And with teams outshooting the Broncos 1,134-839 this season, Bellissimo is used to facing a lot of pressure in net.

"They're the type of team that will just keep hanging around with you, then get a bounce and get on the board," UNO senior captain Mike Lefley said. "It's going to be key for us to play both physical hockey and smart hockey this weekend, and we have to bury our opportunities when we do get them."

• ICE CHIPS: UNO hasn't lost on the road since dropping a 5-2 nonconference game Jan. 3 at Minnesota State-Mankato. Since then, the Mavs are 4-0-2 - all against the CCHA.

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