Friday, February 14, 2025

Series Preview: Omaha at Western Michigan, Feb. 14-15, 2025

By Bridget Brooks 

The Omaha Maverick Hockey team faces its toughest test of the 2024-25 season as it heads to Kalamazoo, Michigan to face the top team in the NCHC on Feb. 14-15. The Mavericks are coming off a sweep of Minnesota Duluth at Baxter Arena, while the Broncos swept St. Cloud State last weekend at Lawson Ice Arena (4-0 Friday, 6-1 Saturday).

The Broncos are ranked no. 3/4 in the national polls, while the Mavericks returned to both the USCHO and USA Hockey/The Rink Live polls at no. 20 this week. 

Omaha is 16-11-1 (12-5-1 in conference, in second place in the NCHC). WMU is 20-5-1 (13-2-1, first place in the NCHC). The Mavericks are 8-1-1 in the last 10 games. Omaha is 35-30-6 all-time against WMU. The Broncos swept the Mavericks in Omaha last November, 2-1 and 4-2. 

Omaha has continued to improve its offensive production throughout the season and is now averaging 3.0 goals per game, while limiting opponents to an average of 2.5 goals against. Western Michigan’s high-powered offense is averaging 3.6 goals per game while only giving up an average of 1.7 goals.

A duel of between the team’s goaltenders is expected this weekend.

Maverick junior goaltender Simon Latkoczy was named NCHC Goaltender of the Week for his performance in net last weekend against the Bulldogs. It is his fourth time receiving this honor this season. He is also the reigning NCHC Goaltender of the Month (January). This week, Latkoczy was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Mike Richter Award, given to the nation’s top goaltender in men’s college hockey. He is also a Hobey Baker Memorial Award candidate (vote here). He has a 13-10-1 record this season and is averaging 2.42 goals against in the conference with a .932 save percentage in NCHC contests. 

WMU goaltender Cameron Rowe (a former Maverick commit) has eight career shutouts and currently touts a 1.73 GAA and .934 save percentage. Rowe is also a Mike Richter Award semifinalist. He is splitting time in net with freshman Hampton Slukynsky, who has compiled a 1.62 GAA and .942 save percentage. He leads the NCHC in both GAA and save percentage. 

Omaha’s Brady Risk was named NCHC Forward of the Week for his 5-point performance against UMD (3 goals, 2 assists). He also recorded his 100th career point on Saturday night against the Bulldogs. Risk has 11 goals and nine assists this season. 

Junior forward Tyler Rollwagen met with the media (via Zoom this week due to the weather) to talk about the WMU series.

“We know where we stand in the standings, and we’re right behind (WMU),” Rollwagen said. “I think we’re playing some good hockey right now, and I think a lot of (our) guys are excited to keep it rolling.” 

Rollwagen said they learned some things in the first series against WMU in Omaha that will help them in Kalamazoo. “They’re a fast-paced team. They like to go north in a hurry. So staying above them will be big. I think we’ve learned a lot … keep guys in front of us,” he said. “I think where we were then and where we are now is just a testament to how much work we’ve put in.”

Lawson Arena can be a difficult environment for opposing teams. “I think it’s super fun to play there. Everyone doesn’t like us, and you kind of have to relish that. So I think it’s exciting,” Rollwagen said. “You have to take it with a grain of salt … when stuff does go wrong, (we have to) keep our cool.”

Rollwagen has 3 goals and 10 assists so far this season and is one of nine players who has appeared in all 28 games. “I’m just focusing on helping the team win and I think that comes with getting some more opportunity too. The coaches helped me in the summer (to) get what they thought I needed to be in that role I’m in now, and I think it’s just having that confidence that I can do it too and (be) a top-end player on the team,” he said.

He said it’s “cool” to make it back into the national polls but the team is focusing on “the games in front of us, and not looking too far ahead.”

“Just keep controlling what we can control and having that mindset of, you know, no one’s coming to help us,” he said.

Coach Gabinet said Rollwagen’s competitive nature makes him an asset to the team. “I think he’s a winner. I think he’s a competitor. Oftentimes for me, when it’s close (deciding) between players, I want to go with the guy that’s a competitor. I want to go with a guy that wants to compete, compete, compete, compete — and just keep showing up, and enjoys those pressure situations.”

Gabinet said he expects the games to be competitive. “We can see our team getting better, playing more connected, playing as a team, (and) understanding how to play in certain situations.” 

The Maverick power play has recorded four goals in the last four games. However, the Broncos are spectacular on the penalty kill — leading the NCAA with a kill rate of 93.3 percent. Western has allowed just four power play goals all season. The Broncos have gone 17 straight games without allowing a power play goal, killing off 40 straight penalties. 

“I think our power play has been really critical to our success as of late, scoring key goals at key moments, and games, and (we’ve) got to keep that going,” Gabinet said. “Credit to Western Michigan, they’ve got an unbelievable penalty kill. So we know it’s gonna be a battle, but that’s something you look forward to, and (we’re) looking forward to that challenge.”

“I’m just looking forward to getting another crack at these guys and playing them on their home ice,” Gabinet added.



Jon and Bridget with the Western Michigan University Broncos mascot in Kalamazoo in January 2008.


Series preview articles:

Omavs.com:

Western Michigan Hockey:

Omaha.com ($):

When:
> Friday, 6 p.m. CT at Lawson Arena (Kalamazoo, MI)
> Saturday, 5 p.m. CT at Lawson Arena (Kalamazoo, MI)

Radio:
Both games will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face-off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.

TV:
Both games will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($) 

Live Stats:
Live stats can be found here Friday and here Saturday.



On this episode of the MavPuckCast, Jon and Jason discuss the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series at Baxter Arena against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs — including video clips and their picks for “Player of the Week.” They discuss something interesting that you might have “Missed at Baxter Arena.” They analyze the current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings and look at where UNO is ranked in the latest Pairwise ranking. They conclude the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series against the Western Michigan Broncos at Lawson Ice Arena.



Next up: Omaha has a bye weekend before returning to Baxter Arena for a two-game NCHC series against Arizona State on Feb. 28-March 1. Both games will start at 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Friday, February 7, 2025

Line Chart – Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 – Omaha vs. University of Minnesota Duluth

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Omaha vs. University of Minnesota Duluth at Baxter Arena

Final: 4-1 Omaha




Series Preview: Omaha vs. University of Minnesota Duluth, Feb. 7-8, 2025

Omaha Hockey (14-11-1, 10-5-1 in the NCHC) will face the University of Minnesota Duluth (10-13-1, 6-8-0 in conference) on Feb. 7-8 at Baxter Arena. This is the only time the Mavericks and the Bulldogs will square off during the regular season.

It’s another battle of the goaltenders. Omaha junior Simon Latkoczy garnered NCHC Goaltender of the Month honors for January, posting a 5-1-1 record during the month while UMD’s freshman goaltender Klayton Knapp was named the NCHC’s Rookie of the Month after backstopping the Bulldogs 4-3-1 during January.

The Mavericks collected two valuable conference points last weekend in Denver, with a tie on Friday in regulation leading to a record NCHC shootout. Omaha captain Nolan Krenzen secured the shootout win in the 16th round.

Minnesota Duluth is coming off a bye weekend after splitting with Denver the week before in Duluth (4-2 Friday, 1-2 Saturday). The second half of the season has found the Bulldogs finding their groove. They have won four of their last five games (all against top 20 teams), going 5-3-1 since the first of the year.

UMD leads the all-time series 29-18-4 against the Mavericks, but the Mavs went 3-1-1 against the Bulldogs in the 2023-24 season (including a sweep at Baxter Arena). Twenty of the all-time games have been decided by one goal or less. Eight of those contests went to overtime.

Omaha is on a five-game home winning streak.

Latkoczy met with the media this week and gave credit to his teammates for his success.

“I think that we had a good January as a team, and usually it reflects back on the goalie. So (it) was definitely with the help of my teammates (that I got goaltender of the month). I appreciate that award. It was great to get it.”

“It’s always nice to collect those awards, but that’s not my primary goal. I want to win a championship here, and that’s where we are kind of going, and that’s my goal,” he added.

Latkoczy said he likes the challenge of a tough series. “Denver is a good team, and I need to be at my absolute best to win the game, and that’s another challenge we need to face as a team, and I’m excited about it.”

UMD offers another challenge. “They’re a good team, for sure, but we need to play our game, and I think that we have played our game most of the games recently, so we need to kind of come back to it, and I hope that everything’s going to go the way we want. We are going to put all the effort in and try to win the game.”

Coach Mike Gabinet praised Latkoczy. “He’s always been good, but I think if you really pay attention to his game, he’s really taking steps in the right direction. It’s been fun to see his development.”

Looking back on last weekend, Gabinet said the team would learn from the Denver series.

“We (have) to look at where we can be better at; obviously, there’s room for growth there. And so you can’t sweep it under the rug completely, but you also have to be good at moving on from things like that. And you have got to move on and get better, but you have to also reflect back on it, and how do we learn and grow from it?” he said.

“You can work on your mindset and work on kind of flushing the previous play that happened, or the previous situation you’re in, and you gotta move on and be ready for the next shift. So, some really good stuff for us to learn and grow from, and continue to get better,” Gabinet said.

Gabinet said the power play has come in with some timely goals recently. “I think (the power play has) been good for us. The last number of weekends — even in Miami, had some big goals for us St. Cloud weekend — that’s been good. Some things that we’re improving, that we got to continue to improve on those things.”

Looking ahead to UMD: “Watching their last couple of games, we know what type of opponent they are coming in here, and we’ll have to be ready to go,” Gabinet said. He noted the team is also confident “in what we’ve been doing and have to continue to do to be successful.”

He is looking forward to a big, energetic crowd at Baxter this weekend. “I think our administration and team has done an awesome job coming up with different themes and getting the energy going in the building.” He said he doesn’t always get to appreciate that in the moment. “I don’t get to see it as much as the fans get to experience it, but you can feel it and you know it’s there. And we’re so grateful to have that. It’s been awesome and all the support (has) been tremendous.”

UMD Senior Dominic James will skate in his 100th game for the Bulldogs on Friday night. Also keep an eye on freshman Max Plante who has recorded at least one point in nine of the 11 games he has played this year. Three of his last five games have included one goal and one assist each.

Latkoczy has 41 wins as a Maverick, the fourth-most in program history. He trails Jerad Kaufmann by four victories.

>> Watch this week’s press conference:

For Fans Attending the Game in Person: 

The west lot outside of the main entrance at Baxter — Lot 25 — is open to donors only (parking passes are required to park in that lot). The north lot — Lot 27 — offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis, as does Lot 26 (west of the arena, across the creek). Omaha Athletics is also encouraging fans to park in one of the public garages at Aksarben Village.


Fans should arrive early, especially if entering via the west entrance. Have digital tickets ready to scan in the Omaha Mavericks app (or add them from your MyMavs account to your phone’s wallet app). If you have questions, stop by the box office at Baxter Arena before the game or call 402-554-MAVS.

The clear bag policy remains in effect at Baxter Arena, and metal detectors are in place at all entrances. All concession stands are credit/debit card only (no cash).

Blue Line Club members and Maverick Room pass holders may enter the arena 90 minutes before puck drop. (Learn more about how to become a Blue Line Club or Maverick Room pass holder here.) 

Promotions:

Friday, Feb. 7

Country and Cowbells




Saturday, Feb. 8

Maverick Miracle Night


Saturday night is also Blue Line Club Member Appreciation from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Maverick Lounge. (Open to Blue Line Club members only.)


Series preview articles:

Omavs.com

UMD Bulldogs:

Omaha.com ($):

When:
> Friday, 7:07 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
> Saturday, 7:07 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)

Radio:
Both games will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.

TV:
Friday’s and Saturday’s games will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($) 

NOTE: If you subscribe to NCHC.tv, choose OMAHA as your home team and the program will receive 80% of your subscription fee for new subscriptions (as well as renewals).

Live Stats:
Game stats will be available here.


On this episode of the #MavPuckCast, Jon and Jason discuss the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series at Magness Arena against the Denver Pioneers – including their picks for “Player of the Week.” They discuss the current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings, and where UNO sits. They conclude the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series against the UMD Bulldogs at Baxter Arena.


Next up: Omaha Hockey heads to Kalamazoo, Michigan for a series against Western Michigan on Feb. 14-15. 

Follow MavPuck: 

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Friday, January 31, 2025

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Series Preview: Omaha at Denver, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2025

 


By Bridget Brooks 

The Omaha Hockey team has won six straight and is headed to Colorado to try to make it eight straight. The Mavericks are taking on the defending national champions in Denver on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1. It is the only regular season games scheduled between the two teams this season.

No. 5 Denver is currently tied for fourth place in the NCHC with North Dakota. Omaha is in second place, one point out of first place (behind Western Michigan). 

Omaha is averaging 2.9 goals a game (while holding opponents to 2.2 goals/game). Denver is scoring an average of 3.8 goals a game and holding opponents to 2 goals/game. Something has to give.

Junior goaltender Simon Latkoczy, fresh off his third NCHC Goaltender of the Week honors, is expected to get the start in net. Latkoczy has a 2.22 goals against average this season, with a .935 save percentage. He is on the Mike Richter Award watch list and is a Hobey Baker candidate. He recorded his 40th and 41st career victories against the SCSU Huskies.

Nine players have played all 24 games for the Mavericks this season: Brock Bremer (F), Dylan Gratton (D), Jacob Guevin (D), Harrison Israels (F), captain Nolan Krenzen (D), Griffin Ludtke (D), Brady Risk (F), Tyler Rollwagen (F), and Sam Stange (F). Eight of the nine had points in last weekend’s series versus St. Cloud State (all except Gratton).

Denver is 18-6-0 overall (7-5-0 in NCHC play), and are coming off a split with Minnesota-Duluth in Duluth last weekend. The Pioneers lost 4-3 on Friday, with sophomore goaltender Freddie Halyk getting his second start of the season. Denver won 2-1 Saturday behind the play of senior goaltender Matt Davis (in Coach David Carle’s 250th game as the boss bench for DU). 

Friday night at Magness Arena the UNO Alumni Association will host a “Mavs on the Move” event. 

Omaha is 14-10-0 overall, and 10-4-0 in the NCHC. Omaha swept St. Cloud in Omaha, winning 6-3 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. 

Last season, Denver won the season series with Omaha three games to one, splitting in Denver (winning 8-4 Friday, losing to Omaha on Sunday 4-3 after the Saturday night game was delayed to Sunday afternoon due to a problem with the ice), and sweeping the Mavericks 6-3 and 6-2 at Baxter Arena last season. 

The Pioneers are 9-2-0 at Magness Arena this season.

Captain Nolan Krenzen and Coach Mike Gabinet met with the media ahead of the Denver series.

“We’ve made a choice on what our heart is going to be. Winning is hard, losing is hard. The group has made (the) hard choice to show up,” Krenzen said. “When things are going wrong, you can try and blame it on something, or you just have to stay consistent and keep showing up.”

Krenzen said fan and family support have been important to the team this season. “There’s (so) many people, and they’re loud, and the atmosphere is hard for other teams to come in (and play in), and it’s awesome for us.”

“I have the privilege to see my parents pretty much every weekend. Not a lot of players can say that, so I try (not) to take it for granted, because I know eventually that won’t be the case,” he added.

He said Denver is “obviously very offensively skilled (and) they have good structure. But ultimately, it’s our game and what we need to focus on. And I think if we stay committed to our structure and our game plan, we’ll do well.”

Krenzen said he doesn’t look at the standings. “It might be in the back of your mind, but it’s not the main focus. It’s good to have goals as a team, but this late in the season, I think it’s just about us and the way we want to play and show up.”

He said he will do whatever he can to help the team. “I don’t like to get scored on. That’s the one thing — if I get scored on the ice, that’s not a good game for me, if that happens a lot. So that’s what I like to focus on. I think that helps, ultimately, the team win, if I can play that way. So that’s what I strive to do.”

Coach Gabinet had high praise for his captain. “He’s just a stand-up individual, (a) high character person. Hockey aside, he does the right things consistently. (He’s) very low maintenance to coach … just takes care of himself on ice, takes care of himself off the ice, does extra … always in shape … always prepared.”

Gabinet says offensive production will be important in the upcoming series. “We harped on defense a lot early in the year knowing that we can’t afford to give up too many goals against, and now it’s been nice to focus a little bit more on offensive development,“ Gabinet said. “Even in practice, you can see guys getting better on both sides of the puck. (It’s been) nice to see some of those guys really find their offensive mojo in the second half (of the season).”



Series preview articles:

Omavs.com:

Denver Pioneers Hockey:

Hurrdat Sports:

Omaha.com ($):

When:
> Friday, 8 p.m. CT at Magness Arena (Denver, CO)
> Saturday, 7 p.m. CT at Magness Arena (Denver, CO)

Radio:
Both games will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face-off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.

TV:
Both games will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($) 
Providing commentary on the NCHC feed will be Brad Thompson. 

Live Stats:
Live stats can be found here 




On this episode of the #MavPuckCast, Jon and Bridget discuss the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent sweep of the St. Cloud State Huskies at Baxter Arena — including video clips and their picks for “Player of the Week.” They talk about two recent “theme nights” at Baxter Arena. They discuss the current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings, and where UNO sits. They conclude the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series against the Denver Pioneers at Magness Arena.


Next up: Omaha returns to Baxter Arena for a two-game NCHC series against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on Feb. 7-8. Both games will start at 7:07 p.m.