Nobody on the MSU hockey team has played with more intensity since the semester break than senior left wing Brian Maloney.
Overall, the 6-foot-1, 207-pounder has skated faster, hit harder and forechecked more fiercely and consistently than any of his counterparts.
In short, "He's playing like a man possessed out there," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
And now, finally, Maloney is starting to reap the rewards of spirited play. He has six goals in MSU's last six games, which is a far cry from the first half of the season when he registered just one tally in 15 contests.
His penalty-killing prowess translated into a short-handed goal a few games ago, and he has notched a power-play marker in each of the Spartans' last three games. But his teammates are quick to point out that his effort is just as vital as his statistics.
A self-recognized "talker" in the locker room, Maloney said he takes it upon himself to set a hard-working precedent on the ice. He finishes every check, aggressively chases all loose pucks and he remains unselfish on offensive rushes.
Rarely, if ever, does he loaf his way through a shift.
"I want to try to motivate our team," Maloney said. "I can't be the one who's sitting down and talking and not doing anything. I try to get out there and make a play. For us to be successful, I have to be a guy that's scoring. I'm doing everything I can to help us out offensively. But like I said before, as long as we're winning, I'm happy."
In particular, two distinct changes seemed to spur Maloney's resurgence:
On his new line, Maloney has been freed up to shoot more often and from better spots on the ice. His shot, which has always been heavy, is much more accurate than it was earlier in his career.
Comley said Maloney's recommitment to establishing himself down low helped accelerate his success rate.
"It's what we've wanted him to do all along," Comley said. "He's getting some nice tips and picking up some stuff down there. He's been outstanding. It's confidence. I think everyone knew that was what was lacking."
Maloney also credited his improved mentality for the turnaround.
"Anytime the puck's going in for you, you're going to have confidence," Maloney said. "There's no difference from earlier, the puck's just bouncing in for me right now.
"If I start thinking about (scoring) too much, then it's a second too late. Hockey's too quick of a sport to be thinking about it. I just wanted to take the puck to the net - that's my game."
