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Offense looks to continue tradition
 Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor SCSU’s Derek Eastman battles with Colorado College’s Alex Kim during the third-place game in last season’s Final Five.
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At the beginning of last season the Huskies were faced with the far-fetched goal of topping the offensive play that led to a breakthrough 2000-01 season they were 31-9-1.
The Husky offense prevailed, however, setting team single-season records including most goals (179), points (485), assists (306), power-play goals (73) and power play percentage (.311), while leading the WCHA in team offense. Hobey Baker candidate Mark Hartigan dominated the WCHA by scoring a school record 37 goals (No. 1 in WCHA), 38 assists, 75 points and six short-handed goals.
This season the Huskies will be faced with the same challenge of topping last season's offense, and will have to do it with the loss of Hartigan and All-WCHA forward Nate DiCasmirro (17 goals, 33 assists). Like last season, the Huskies have the weapons to do it.
"We have a lot of skill compared to other teams and, naturally, up front we're going to be loaded again," senior center Ryan Malone said. "I don't think scoring is going to be a problem."
SCSU will be counting on Malone, who was 19th in the nation in scoring (49 points) and 11th in goals scored (24) last season, to take over where Hartigan left off as the squad's main offensive weapon. However, the 6-foot-4, 210 pound Malone won't be alone.
The Huskies will be returning with nine of its top 11 scorers from last season. They will be looking for major contributions from senior team captain Jon Cullen, senior Joe Motzko, and junior Matt Hendricks, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators.
"I really like the progress that Matt Hendricks made last year from being a freshman to a sophomore," Dahl said. "You have to remember that this is a boy coming straight out of high school, without a year or two of juniors. He made a huge stride last year, and I think he'll continue that this year."
The Huskies will have the same style of offense, but there will be some changes in the power play to make up for the loss of Hartigan.
"We do not alter our style from year to year, but we alter our power play from year to year, based on who seems to play with who and how," Dahl said. "With Mr. Hartigan here the last two years we were able to have the number one power play in the country. We may alter our power play, but we won't change our offensive attack."
Last season SCSU also had the best offensive freshmen in the WCHA with Mike Doyle, Peter Szabo, and David Iannazzo. This season the freshmen forwards are looking to be on the same page, but with a different kind of style.
"Last year our freshmen forwards played a little more of a finesse game, and had the pretty plays with Izzie (Iannazzo), Szabo, and Doyle," Malone said. "The freshmen this year play a little more in your face."
"I think if you like (Jeff) Finger, you'll like Konrad Reeder. He's very physical," Dahl said.
Reeder, a forward from British Columbia, is just one of the four Canadian freshmen that will be fighting for a spot this season. There is also Brock Hooton, Jonathan Lehun, and redshirt freshmen Brian McCormack. Hooton will add another big body, with his 6-foot-2, 185 pound frame, that could be dangerous near the boards.
Lehun, who just turned 18 years old, looks to contribute right off the bat with a combination of great speed and skill that should earn him draft rights next season.
McCormack, who redshirted last season, looks to have the right tools and endless potential, which could make him a big part of the Huskies future.
"I'm really excited about him," Dahl said. "He's not the greatest skater in the world right now. He's kind of like how Mark Hartigan was his first year here. He has a tremendous shot, with 61 goals in 60 games out in the B.C. junior league two years ago. He's got a real nose for the net."
Joe Jensen (Maple Grove) also looks to contribute with his, "no fear, go to the crease," style.
Dahl has always believed that the stars aren't necessarily what makes an offense.
"We have several other players that are good role players," Dahl said. "For example, you can't ask an Andy Lundbohm to score three goals for you in a game, but you can ask an Andy Lundbohm to give you 60 minutes of physical, strong play. We are going to need performances like that from some guys."
Starting with the 2002-03 season, the SCSU offense is as deep as it has ever been, and will attack with a wide array of talented forwards.
"I just want to win," Malone said. "I don't care if I score any goals at all, as long as someone else is scoring them."
That kind of unselfishness is what the Huskies hope will bring their offense to the top once again this season.
SCSU will open up the season this weekend with a trip to Ferris State University.
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