Feb. 18 Press Conference
Emma Goldstein (Sports Information, Omaha Athletics):
Questions for Tyler (Rollwagen).
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Well, uh, Tyler, just talk about this big series coming up against Arizona State. The Mavs really need to have a good series on the road.
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. Yeah. I think we're, uh, we focused on a good week of practice to start. Uh, I think we had three good days here. And, um, yeah, uh, going into ASU, it's a playoff series. So that's what we talked about. Um, you know, we gotta get some points and, uh, going in there and, uh, just playing our game and, and focusing on us and what we can do to, uh, impact the game and get to our game.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
On Saturday night, you had a season high for yourself — four shots and two blocks. And that's obviously a high for you. What was the mentality for you going into that game? Is it something the coaches challenged you on, or is it just personal, you know, coming down to the end of your college career here, "I'm gonna do whatever I can"?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. Yeah. I think, like, you know, uh, uh, going into that game, I don't think there was anything, like, “shoot the puck more.” But, uh, no, I think that's just the way the game goes sometimes. You get more looks. And, um, I thought our line played, played pretty well on Saturday. And, uh, yeah, coming down to the last couple games here as a Maverick, uh, I think throughout the whole year and I — I would hopefully say my whole career here — every game, I kinda, you know, lay it all out there, so.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Kind of piggybacking off that, Tyler, um, as a senior, just kind of what are your general thoughts on how the season's gone so far?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. A lot of learning. It's been great. Um, you know, you see the day-to-day process every day. And our habits are good, our day-to-day process coming to the rink every day and, and trying to learn and get better. Um, I think that's the biggest thing I've taken away throughout the year. It's sometimes the results. Sometimes it's hockey. Sometimes you play really good and don't get a win.
Sometimes, you know, the opposite as well. So I think coming every day to the rink, I think this group has done a great job of bringing energy, bringing some juice, and, and ultimately putting in the work, whether that, that weekend went well or not.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
You've talked about getting to your game first and letting your play take over. What does that look like on the road at Arizona State?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. I think for, first and foremost, like, getting to a good start. I think we wanna play simple. We wanna play fast and, and get to our, uh, like, forecheck. I think our forecheck is gonna be big. Um, I think we're, are at our best when we're playing down low and, and really making other teams defend. So I think having that mentality of, of playing simple first and then, um, you know, letting our plays take over and, and keeping some of that offense alive and, and really, uh, honing in on some areas that we feel like they may struggle in.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
Uh, piggybacking off of that too, uh, the team has kind of struggled with some consistency just over playing full games.
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
How do you just keep that consistency and keep playing your game for an entire 60 minutes?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. I think we've talked about it a lot too. I think, uh, Coach said something on Friday. Like, we played a good game for 30 minutes there, 40 minutes there. So, uh, you need to play a full 60-minute game to win in this league. And, um, it's not easy to do. Uh, it's, uh, something that we're really trying to work on, that, that consistent approach of the last, you know, three minutes of a period the first three minutes of the period, the couple shifts after a goal, for and against. So I think having a great mindset of when that stuff and when the big moments in the game come up is, uh, really kinda rising into the occasion.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
With, uh, the season winding down, Tyler, playing in the NCHC, how tough is it to stay mentally, uh, focused? I know the season hasn't gone the way the Mavs have, have wanted it to, but how tough is it to stay mentally in it?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. I would say it's a little bit tough. But I think, like anything, um, I don't think we'd be here if we weren't mentally tough. So, uh, I think this group has done a great job of, of showing up every day, like I said, and, and kinda just, uh, whatever the noise is and we've talked about that this week, some noise, um, and whether that can affect you or not is, at the end of the day, is, uh, a choice that you need to make. So, um, yeah, it's really tough. And, and I think, uh, Griff (captain Griffin Ludtke) said it, “We hold the pen to our story.” So I think it's all in our hands right now. And I think there's not a guy in that room that wouldn't want it any other way, so…
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Speaking of your story, uh, looking back at your career as a Maverick — and again, there's still four regular season games and hopefully lots more after that — but it might be our last chance to see you in this setting. What, um, what have you learned over these last years that really have helped kinda define who you are and, and what it means to be a Maverick?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Mm-hmm. I think kinda one thing I've been just kinda reflecting on is, is sometimes things aren't as big as you make them. Um, I know we've really talked about that a lot — is, is kinda you get that false narrative of your in your head of kinda just stuff snowballing. And it's how quickly you can just, you know, you know, cancel that out and, and really think about kinda stuff that can go right in your life. And whether that be in hockey or, or stuff in your personal life, I think that's something I'll always take away from this place is, is having that mindset of kinda just “what can go right.”
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
One last question. Who do you have winning the gold in the hockey and the Olympics, women and men?
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Uh, USA, USA! So I think they (the women) play tomorrow. And then (the men’s team for) USA is playing right now. So we got a good bunch of guys around the TV rooting for Sweden, so…
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
I'm not sure the guy sitting next to you will agree.
Tyler Rollwagen (Senior Forward, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah.
Emma Goldstein (Sports Information, Omaha Athletics):
Questions for Coach?
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Coach, just kinda general thoughts on this really big series coming up against a team that's just ahead of you (in the NCHC standings).
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Like Rollie (Tyler Rollwagen) said, kinda fun 'cause it's, you know, you guys gotta approach it like a playoff series,right? Obviously, very important games. We all know that. And yeah, trying to keep, uh, keep, uh, you know, keep calm about it a little bit. But obviously, there's a lot of urgency here, just like it would be for a playoff weekend here. So it's, uh…everybody knows. Everybody knows what's at stake here.
And we're preparing appropriately and making sure we're doing everything in our power here to, to give ourselves the best chance of success this weekend here. So, like Rollie said, man, you guys have been showing up and putting the work in. Attitude's been great. And practice has been fantastic. And so we're working, man. We're working and, uh, looking forward to getting after (it) this weekend.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Against Denver, you had to defend for long stretches of time. What from that series needs to carry over to Arizona State?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Again, I, I think Saturday night, I, I really liked our game. You know, (we) did a lot of good things. And, and like you said, I think it's just that, you know, those big moments in the game, you gotta find ways to make sure you're on the right side of those big moments, whether it's, uh, a turnover, a, a draw, um, you know, something — you gotta make sure that you're prepared, whether to defend that or to capitalize on that in those big moments of the game. And I think you're seeing that a lot during the season.
Um, there's really good stretches, of pretty back-and-forth hockey. And then it's those key moments that are gonna define the, the game. And so we gotta make sure that we're prepared for those, and that we come out on the right end of those.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Mike, how much has the have you and the team talked about the exact standings going into this weekend and just the urgency of, of hopefully getting at least one (game) and
maybe two (games) down there?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. And everybody knows. Everybody knows the stats. Everybody, everybody's done the math in their head and, uh, and just knows, you know, how important it is to, to get some points down there — and, uh, so everybody's aware. Everybody knows. Um, and, uh, we're preparing accordingly. And, uh, we'll be ready to roll here. Mm-hmm.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Special teams, obviously, (are) important, especially on the road. Um, and Arizona State had a lot of penalties last weekend against Western (Michigan). What have you liked from your power play recently, and what does it still need to be, uh, to be sharp this weekend?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Well, first off, I think our you know, just even if you look at the start of the year until now, I think our guys have really grown in that department, both whether it's taking penalties, drawing penalties, um, power play being good, penalty kill being good. Like, again, you see the growth. And that's what I think Rollie talked about a little bit. So it can be frustrating at times when you're seeing the growth, but you're not always seeing the immediate results.
And, um, but again, I thought both special teams, you know, performed well. Again, they're key. You know, when you're playing these good teams, it's key. It's key. It, uh, gives you a chance of game momentum to get in the game, to put the game away. Um, so (we) gotta continue what we did against Denver here and, and, uh, be ready for, you know, ASU that's got a talented power play. And, um, you know, obviously, we'll, we'll see what it looks like here with the officiating this weekend.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
You talked about them having a really talented power play. Uh, but your penalty kill has always been really good, especially in the last two series. How do you just keep that going?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Just keep working on it. You know, just like anything, you gotta keep focused on it. You gotta keep looking at it, finding ways to get better at it, talking to the guys, watching video with the guys. We worked on it again today for a long time. So just keep, keep with it, you know, right? Keep, uh, keep tweaking it, keep growing for it, keep learning from it, work on your execution, and, uh, uh, all the all the above.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Mike, thoughts on Arizona State, a team that's in the same boat as the Mavs? They're desperate for points.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Yeah. You could tell they played extremely hard against Western Michigan, watching those games back. They, they're, they're you know, they're not leaving stuff to chance either. They're playing extremely hard. And again, a little bit of story of the league, right? Extremely talented roster, just like, you know, if you, you know, it's kinda, kinda mind-blowing a little bit that you've got us and CC and ASU, like, you know, pretty — in my opinion, pretty good hockey teams that are, are right there, Miami, St. Cloud, all those teams. So, um, yeah, they're you know, they know the situation too, I'm sure. And, uh, that should be, uh, should be for a hard-fought series here.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Any updates on player availability for this weekend?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. I think it's, uh, it's looking pretty good. We got a couple of guys right now that are banged up a little bit. But we'll see here. Uh, we'll, we'll, we'll travel tomorrow here and, and, uh, see who's all available. But hopefully, uh, everybody's healing up okay here after the, the weekend and should be available for, for Friday night here.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
Uh, with the idea of both teams obviously needing to win, do you expect it to be a really physical series?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
I thought they played Western (Michigan) physical. So, um, I'm sure it will be intense and be physical, a little bit of that playoff atmosphere a little bit there for sure. So, um, they're, they're a team that forechecks hard and, and likes to get after you there. So, uh, um, uh, we're expecting it to be, uh, to be some physical confrontations out there for sure.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
You've got a, a Slovakian in goal with, uh, Simon, and they have a Slovakian that might be a net for them.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Mm-hmm.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
What does that say about the development path for European goaltenders? Or is it just kind of a neat story?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. No, I think if you look around right now, there's I mean, there's a lot of good goalies everywhere. But there's, um, you know, lots of good Slovakian goalies there, lots of good Czech goalies, Swede goalies there, U.S. goalies, Canadian goalies. So it's, uh, um, yeah, kinda neat to see, obviously, just the, the, the way that you know, what's the rules now, the player pool has expanded, you know, expanded. And, and so now you're seeing, you know, people from all over the world, obviously, uh, playing at the highest levels.
Timothy Rowher, UNO Blue Line Club Newsletter:
I'm, uh, doing an article on, on (coach) Jamie (Huffman). And, uh, recruiting. And he mentioned he now goes all over the world.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah.
Timothy Rowher, UNO Blue Line Club Newsletter:
And, uh, including, you know, mentioning Europe and as well as Canada. What kinda impact has he brought, uh, you know, to the program, you know, with his recruiting?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. He's been tremendous. Again, it's, uh, it's just a completely different landscape now, right? Everything's just yu know, everything's getting kinda flipped over on its head here. It kinda seems to be, year after year. So to have somebody that can, you know, have the ability to, to watch a lot of players, to check in on your current recruits, to keep, you know, expanding your, your view on, on everybody out there — whether it's in Europe, whether it's in the US, whether it's in Canada. So, um, and again, it's a lot to take on. I think, you know… you're …anybody that's ever been in this job, I think the first year is always the most difficult 'cause it's just you're learning so much. And there's so much to learn and so many moving parts and stuff. But he's done a great job navigating that there.
And it's been nice to, um he probably would like to be home a little bit more often. He's been on the road a lot. Um, but, you know, (he’s) just doing a tremendous job, uh, to help our program here as we move forward with this new landscape here.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Same question for you then to, to end up, uh, who do you see getting gold for men and women in hockey?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Man, I think I mean, I think it would be great to see a U.S.-Canada final. I think that'd be pretty special. You know, uh, obviously, really tight game for Canada this morning there. And, uh, I thought that Four Nations (tournament last year) was pretty fun to watch. Um, I think they each got one win in that, in that situation there. So, uh, I think that could be a fun, uh, uh, fun. I know we got a lone Swede on the team, (Marcus) Broberg, whose brother's playing for Team Sweden.
So he's, he came in there chanting for Team Sweden today. And, and, uh, obviously, Rollie’s got the USA going too. So it's kinda fun. It's just fun to see. I mean, at the end of the day, you like to see that good hockey going. And, uh, pretty neat to watch best on best.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Very diplomatic.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
That's a smart answer, right? Smart answer. Yeah.
