FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The men's hockey team plays the first home event of 2011 when it entertains the Hobart Statesmen this Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Blue Devils take a 5-8-0 mark into the game, a record head coach
Jeff Meredith feels could easily have been reversed.
“The reason for the positive outlook,” he said, “is that we are doing really well in a number of categories nationally.”
The Blue Devils have been especially strong on special teams. They are No. 11 nationally on the power play and No. 19 in the penalty kill, including a recent string of 28 straight kills over a six-game span.
It has also helped that the Blue Devils have been good about staying out of the penalty box.
“Out of 71 D-III teams nationally, we have taken the second fewest penalties in the country,” Meredith said. “That shows a great deal of discipline on our players' part.
“The area that we need to improve is the 5-on-5, where we are getting outscored at a 2 to 1 rate.”
Meredith indicated the Blue Devils have had “a fantastic week of practice” leading up to game with Hobart, a team that has won six straight games to improve to 8-3-1. One of the wins came Dec. 11 vs. Oswego. The Statesmen defeated the then No. 1-ranked Lakers, 5-2.
The Statesmen also have the advantage of a game under their belts in 2011, a 5-2 win Tuesday at Brockport.
Two Blue Devils enter the second semester atop SUNYAC statistical categories. Junior forward
Bryan Ross leads in total assists (14), total power-play points (12), and is tied for the lead in short-handed goals (2). Senior forward
Jordan Oye is tied for first in total points (20) and leads in points-per game (1.54).
Ross, Oye, senior defenseman
Steve Rizer, and sophomore forward
Mitch Kulikoski and
Mat Hehr are also among the top five in several other SUNYAC categories.
