Defense lifts Shamrox past Edmonton

Much has been made about Chicago's Eastern Division-low 176 goals last season. And the slew of off-season moves aimed at bolstering that stagnant Shamrox offense.

But what about the defense that allowed a league-worst 15 goals per game heading into Saturday night's contest against Edmonton? More specifically, the Shamrox' penalty kill that allowed opponents to seemingly score at will with a man advantage?

"Injuries have really set us back," said Shamrox coach Jamie Batley. "We haven't had the opportunity to jell as a team and get our systems down pat because we haven't had the players."

Through two games, it showed. Following the 19-11 loss at Philadelphia, where it surrendered 5 goals in 11 short-handed stints, the Shamrox killed only half (10 of 20) of opponents' power plays. The Shamrox ranked seventh in the league last season on the short-hand, killing 57 percent.

"We're still looking for some of our veterans to step up and play better defense," Batley said Friday afternoon.

Coach asked and coach received as the Shamrox (1-2) won their first game of the season, 17-11 over Edmonton at the Sears Centre.

Two players fans haven't had the opportunity to see much in the Shamrox' green, black and white were two that Batley mentioned that he'd like to see more from on the defensive end.

And the two met the challenge.

First-year defensemen Scott Self and Brock Boyle were both acquired in the off-season's dispersal draft. The 28-year-old Self, named one of the two assistant captains (with Carter Livingstone), spent the past four seasons in Arizona, playing 16 games and recording 3 goals and 14 assists in 2007 for the Sting.

"We didn't have a real good training camp just due to injuries," Self said. "As a defensive unit it's important, just like an offensive unit, to play together and get used to each other's tendencies, and we didn't have that chance."

Boyle, who spent the past three seasons in Minnesota, notched 2 assists Saturday, while playing in-your-face defense throughout. Five-on-five is one thing, but does the mentality change at all when you're faced with an extra attacker?

"We all have our set spots where we don't want to leave," Boyle said. "If you screw up, you're going to get screwed."

Along with a fully healthy lineup for the first time this season, the Shamrox received another remedy for their penalty-killing ills by facing an Edmonton squad that had converted only 36 percent of its power-plays. On Saturday, the Shamrox killed 57 percent (4 of 7) of the Rush's power plays, thanks is part to Brandon Miller's 27-save performance.

"The team really decided to focus," Batley said. "Tonight was a matter of focus with the defense, and after we got the ball, our transition came alive."