Shorthanded, Wolverines still hold advantage

Top-notch penalty killing is nothing new for the Michigan Wolverines. During a 14-game stretch last year, the Wolverines killed 65 straight penalties This season, after killing off 44 consecutive power play chances over a seven-game span through Dec. 1, Michigan had the No. 1 penalty-killing unit in the U.S. with a 95 per-cent success rate. The Wolverines scored six shorthanded goals while giving up just four using a mix of great team speed, hard work and an aggressive mentality. “A lot times we catch a team not paying attention and we force them the right way and then they have nowhere to go,” said sophomore forward Dwight Helm-inen, who led the team with three shorthanded goals. Michigan freshman goalie Al Montoya has also played a big part in the Wolverines’ success killing penalties. “Al has been…

NHL GOALTENDING STATISTICS

DiPietro’s stellar play may force GM’s hand

New York Islanders GM Mike Milbury’s fickle history with goalies soon will include another franchise-defining decision, maybe even during this season. While goalie Chris Osgood’s numbers have improved slightly over the last several weeks, Rick DiPietro, the No. 1 pick in 2000, was positively thriving at American League Bridgeport, with a personal 14-game unbeaten run (9-0-5). Unless Osgood can lead the Isles back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, DiPietro’s eventual promotion is certain. “I’m just playing, not worried with the other stuff,” said DiPietro during a late-November recall while backup Garth Snow was suspended for two games. “I’m trying not to be as uptight as last year, worrying when something would happen. Osgood will be a restricted free agent when his $4-million contract expires after this season and Snow’s deal includes a team option…

Could Kariya be dealt?

True or false: the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are contemplating trading star left winger Paul Kariya. “Let me put an end to the rumor right now, it’s not happening,” said Anaheim GM Bryan Murray. That said, he understands how such rumors get started. After all, how long can a team devote 26 per cent of its overall payroll, as the Ducks do, to one player and continue to miss the playoffs? The improving Ducks have missed out on the post-season three years in a row, yet they are paying Kariya $10 million when the entire payroll is $39 million. “I understand the thinking on that,” said Murray about the potential of a blockbuster trade, “and it has come up in conversation in-house on occasion. I have talked to our people at length about…