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.
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