By Bridget Brooks
After sweeping conference foe Colorado College, Omaha Hockey is back on the road again, traveling to Oxford, OH to take on the Miami RedHawks.
The RedHawks have struggled in conference play, generating a single point in a tie (overtime loss) to St. Cloud on Nov. 8. They have been swept in conference series with Minnesota Duluth, Omaha, North Dakota, and Denver. Miami's overall record is 3-15-2 and 0-10-0 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). In Denver last weekend, Miami lost 4-1 on Friday and 6-2 on Saturday.
Omaha is 10-10-0 (6-4-0 in NCHC play). The team’s most recent series came against Colorado College at Baxter Arena on Jan. 10-12. The Mavs swept the Tigers 5-2 and 3-1.
Graduate forward Harrison Israels met with the media ahead of the series with the RedHawks.
Asked about the sweep of Colorado College and the momentum it provides the team, Israels said, “We’ve had some ups and downs, but I think just the way our team has continued to build, it really showcases that.”
“That was some of our best hockey all year,” he added. “So I think it’s a good confidence builder for us as a group, and especially heading into a big weekend against Miami.”
He said the team isn’t taking the RedHawks lightly, despite their record. “I think the biggest thing in college is — any given night, anybody can beat anyone,” Israels said. “Every team in this league is good, and Miami’s got a lot of talent on their team.”
“We (have) to be focused. We (have) to be on our game. It’s going to be a good battle — Friday, Saturday — but we’re looking forward to it,” he added.
The Israels-Brady Risk-Myles Hilman line combined for 10 points on the weekend. “Me and Brady have played together for a long time, so I kind of understand where he wants to be, and where he usually is on the ice. And I think he kind of thinks the same with me. And then adding Myles for the past few games has been awesome,” Israels said.
Israels was once told he wouldn’t play beyond high school. “It definitely motivated me for sure. You always like to look back and kind of hit them with, ‘Well, you were wrong.’ It’s cliche to say the journey is the best part. But the best memories have been in spots where I didn’t think I was going to end up,” Israels said. “It’s funny how hockey works. Sometimes it just happens. But as you continue to work and just get better, good things can come your way. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Coach Gabinet said the Israels/Risk/Hilman line was “a big part of why we were able to get two big wins this past weekend.”
“Israels and Risk have played together in the past, and adding Myles to that line just brings a little bit of youth and some forechecking ability. There is some speed, some strength. They’re playing well together, which is great to see,” he added.
He said the Mavs would be ready for the upcoming series versus the RedHawks. “We’re going to make sure we’re finding ways to get better this week and keep growing, and be ready to go this weekend.”
“It’s just important to stay with a laser focus on trying to improve and trying to get better, and preparing for the weekend.”
With six NCHC conference points on the line, both teams know how important the series will be. Omaha is currently tied with Denver for fourth place in the NCHC. Miami is ninth place in the conference.
“Every game is a playoff game for us,” said Miami coach Anthony Noreen at his team’s weekly press conference.
“If there’s any game that we’ve had a really bad taste in our mouth about — that we’ve played this entire year — it’s that Saturday night game in Omaha,” Noreen said.
RedHawks are one of the most penalized teams in the nation (taking an average of 5 penalties a game). Omaha has had difficulty capitalizing on the power play this season, converting on just 10 of 73 opportunities (.137).
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