MORE Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Maverick Fans

If you liked our blog post yesterday with gift ideas from the UNO Bookstore (shhh....we won't tell anyone if you're shopping for yourself!), today's post has a few more!

If you've been following Mavpuck for any amount of time, you know that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our subscription to NCHC.tv. It allows us to watch all of UNO's conference road games, re-watch all of the games at Baxter Arena that we attended in person, and scope out our conference foes on bye weekends or when we're just bored.

Well, the NCHC is offering a mid-season special on NCHC.tv subscriptions.

You get access to 60+ LIVE games for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, including select playoff games. We stream the games from our iPad to our Apple TV so we can watch them on the big screen. The livestream quality depends on the host school, so don't expect CBS Sports or NET Sports quality for all broadcasts -- but hey, it's a LOT cheaper than actually going on the road with the team. And listening to the home team broadcasts for the away games can be hilarious (or annoying). But the commercials are definitely hilarious. Get the details -- or subscribe -- here.

Yesterday's blog post also featured some really cool Maverick yard art you can purchase at the UNO Bookstore:

If you liked that, check out the custom wreath I had made!

It was made by Carly with Door Decor (816-205-5239). So cute!

Do YOU have any ideas to share? I'd love to feature them! Post in the Comments!

Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for a Maverick Hockey Fan

You've made a list and checked it twice. You know a Maverick fan who is both naughty and nice. If you're not sure if Santa Claus is coming to town ... help him out.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but there's a spot under the Christmas tree that's still pretty bare.

If there's a UNO fan on your list and you're looking for a last-minute gift idea, here are some suggestions, courtesy of our friends at the UNO Bookstore! I was invited to come in and check out the selection for Mav fans. If you haven't been into the Bookstore for a while, I think you'll be shocked at how many items they have!

[We were in there on 12/22/15 and they were having a holiday sale -- 25% off any regularly priced apparel. Don't know how long it will last, but get there soon!]

Note: The UNO Bookstore is located in the Milo Bail Student Center, which is currently under construction. During Winter Break, you can park in any of the UNO lots. I recommend parking by the College of Public Affairs and Community Service building (just north of the Sapp Fieldhouse) because it's a 1-minute walk to the south entrance of Milo Bail. That's your closest parking spot. Go in the south doors of Milo Bail and the UNO Bookstore is right there!

Bookstore hours Dec. 22-23:

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#GiftTheO

STOCKING STUFFERS

Hats, gloves, mittens…

Scarves…

License plate holders, commemorative pucks…

FOR KIDS

Onesies, youth shirts, cheerleader outfits, stuffed animals…

This is my favorite onesie…

("I still live with my parents")

Youth replica jerseys…

FOR THE DISCERNING FAN

"The Executive Collection" -- available in sizes from Small to 4X (XXXXL)

For the Maverick fan who is more comfortable in a black sweater vest than a hoodie…

For example, a cardigan…

THESE ARE UNUSUAL

"Ugly" Christmas sweaters

UNIQUE GIFTS

I love, love, love this wooden sign…

($22.99 for the "Mav Fan Plank Wood Sign")

"O" Bike Jersey…

The perfect gift for the hockey fan with a military background…

the Cam"O" jersey…

EVERY HOCKEY FAN NEEDS AT LEAST ONE...

A UNO Hockey Jersey…

(The UNO Bookstore sells replica jerseys – $114.99)*

So you can look as stylish as this guy…

* Authentic jerseys are only sold at the UNO Team Store in Baxter Arena.

FOR THE STAR WARS FAN IN YOUR LIFE…

Limited sizes of this one available…

This one's new…

The UNO Bookstore also has cowbells, a Durango bobblehead, and UNO flags…
(Not pictured.)

Currently, the UNO Bookstore is working on digitizing their offerings so you can check everything out online. In the meantime, you can see their some of what they have to offer here: 

UNO Bookstore

Omaha vs. Arizona State: Dec. 19-20, 2015 at Baxter Arena

The UNO Mavericks are back home at Baxter Arena after a bye week. Student-athletes are finished with finals, and before they head home to see their families for Christmas break, they're taking on a non-conference foe, Arizona State, in a Saturday night/Sunday afternoon series. Arizona State is in its first full year in Division I play, but is not to be overlooked. The Mavs are undefeated at Baxter Arena this season, and we want to end the first half of the season strong.

The biggest news during the bye week was the sudden, unexpected departure of forward Avery Peterson. A highly touted recruit (and Mr. Hockey), Peterson had been experiencing a scoring drought his sophomore season. While we haven't heard an official reason for his departure, sources say it's related to his brother's illness, as outlined in this article from a few years ago. Sounds like Avery wants to be closer to home. While his departure is a huge loss for the Mavs, we can't fault him for putting #FamilyFirst.

Here's a roundup of other stories leading up to the series (and game coverage articles will be added later).

Omaha World-Herald story about Avery Peterson's departure:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/avery-peterson-s-departure-shocks-uno-teammates/article_7db8097c-a720-5125-8ca4-58e892c3da88.html

OMavs series preview:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210592595

OMavs Saturday night game recap:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210593761

Notable quote:

The Mavericks earned their 13th win of the season, the most before the end of December in school history, to improve to 13-3-1 overall.  They are now 7-0-0 at Baxter Arena this season and 9-0-0 in non-conference games with a Sunday 2:07 p.m. rematch pending.  It will be their last non-conference game of the year.

Omaha World-Herald article after Saturday's win -- with THREE power play goals!
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavericks-becoming-a-force-with-power-play/article_ebf2b5fc-a6c7-11e5-855f-af7e13ca39de.html

Omaha World-Herald article about Sunday's sweep!
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-caps-perfect-nonconference-with-sweep-of-arizona-state/article_1228a15a-a768-11e5-a899-2b2ccfca1ff7.html

#UNBEATENATBAXTERARENA

Tickets:
Tickets are plentiful for the matchup, due to the holiday season. You can find tickets for sale in the Mavpuck group or on Ticket Express' website.

TV Coverage:
Both games will be available on NCHC.tv.

Radio Coverage:
The games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). Dave Ahlers will provide radio play-by-play and Terry Leahy will provide color commentary. The First National Bank Pre-Game Show begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Omaha vs. St. Cloud: Dec. 4-5, 2015 in St. Cloud

It was a SWEEP weekend at Baxter Arena as the Mavs improved to 11-2-1 overall -- we're calling it "HOME SWEEP HOME" as the Mavs are 6-0-0 at Baxter Arena.

But the biggest test so far of the season is coming up this weekend as the #6 Mavs travel to St. Cloud, Minnesota to face the #7 Huskies. Here's a roundup of this week's articles.

Omaha-World Herald story after the weekly poll results were released:

http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-st-cloud-stay-put-in-polls-entering-key-conference/article_6441c7dc-97a5-11e5-b62c-033352be44d5.html

And here's the OMavs story about the poll results:

http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210545901

No Mavs were honored with the NCHC weekly honors. (We thought Jake Guentzel was robbed, after his 5-point weekend!)

Here's the Omaha World-Herald preview story for the weekend's series:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavericks-want-payback-against-huskies/article_9efe6293-0998-53f5-ae1c-d4548e308bd5.html

Here's the OMavs.com story about the St. Cloud series:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210555592

Here's the Omaha World-Herald write-up of Friday night's loss to the Huskies:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/no-st-cloud-state-rolls-to-win-over-mavericks/article_0b043c60-9b04-11e5-a05a-7b9f0de1417f.html


TV Coverage:
The games will be available on NCHC.tv.

Radio Coverage:
The games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). Dave Ahlers will provide radio play-by-play and Terry Leahy will provide color commentary. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. on Friday night and 6:30 p.m. Saturday night with the First National Bank Pre-Game Show.

Omaha vs. Ohio State: Nov. 27-28, 2015 series at Baxter Arena

Coming off two overtime games in Oxford, Ohio last weekend, the Mavs are back at Baxter Arena again for only the third home series of the year. They face Ohio State in a non-conference series that features a little bit of history.

Ohio State's head coach, Steve Rohlik, is one of the original UNO Hockey assistant coaches. Mike Kemp brought him on in 1996 when he started the program, and Rohlik almost succeeded Kemp as coach -- a little-known bit of trivia (but then Dean Blais was hired).

Hear what Rohlik has to say about this weekend's series:

OSU HC Steve Rohlik shares his thoughts on the upcoming weekend against No. 6 UNO https://t.co/mC06hI9Awg

— ❌iles ❌cQuinn (@Miles_McQuinn) November 26, 2015

Another important tie-in to Saturday's game is the inaugural Sheila Leahy Toys for Tots Drive. Sheila Leahy, wife of radio color commentator Terry Leahy, organized the annual Toys for Tots collection in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps. Sheila died this past year, and the event was named for her this year.

Here's a roundup of the weekend stories.

OMavs series preview story:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210532127

Omaha World-Herald Friday preview article (@BooneOWH):
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavs-crave-surge-in-power-play-points/article_49ceec28-bbbf-5000-8d13-a3e98174477c.html

Here's the Omaha World-Herald story about Friday night's win vs. Ohio State:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-stays-unbeaten-at-baxter-arena-with---win/article_f36d7ec4-957f-11e5-bef7-57a089a90d92.html

Here's the Omaha World-Herald story about Saturday night's sweep:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/power-play-goals-lift-uno-past-ohio-state/article_2979a904-964b-11e5-9fb1-8f5e71c3f49c.html

Tickets:
UNO has introduced "rush seating" beginning this weekend.

Introducing Rush Seating for @UNO_Hockey, where any unused student tickets will be sold 15 minutes prior to game time for $10 @ box office.

— Baxter Arena (@BaxterArena) November 24, 2015

Rush seats are ONLY available in the student section and are based on availability.

With the Husker football game in the afternoon on Friday, I know of seveal people with tickets available for sale. You can contact me via Twitter @Mavpuck or through our Facebook page, and we'll help connect you. TicketExpress also has tickets available for sale below face value (starting at $5).

TV Coverage:
The games will be available on NCHC.tv.

Radio Coverage:
The games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). Dave Ahlers will provide radio play-by-play and Terry Leahy will provide color commentary. Lester St. James will report from ice level. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with the First National Bank Pre-Game Show.

UNO vs. Miami Series -- Nov. 20-21 in Oxford

After being off last weekend, the Mavs gained one spot in the USA Today/USA College Hockey poll.

Here's the roundup of stories related to the series.

OMavs.com preview article for Friday:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210512703

Omaha World-Herald game write-up from Friday (RedHawks win in OT):
http://www.omaha.com/uno/redhawks-earn-bonus-point-after-tying-mavericks/article_195b5e68-900c-11e5-bed0-7b9bafe3c501.html

Omaha World-Herald game write-up from Saturday (Mavs win in OT):
http://www.omaha.com/uno/a-day-after-shootout-loss-uno-s-jake-randolph-nets/article_467af206-90d3-11e5-8ac5-cf06a07bbd9b.html

Jake Randolph's OT goal makes the "NCAA Top 5 Plays of the Week":
http://www.ncaa.com/video/icehockey-men/2015-11-23/di-hockey-top-5-plays-omaha-saint-cloud-state-north-dakota-providence

Tyler Vesel's first goal of the season made the NCHC "Top 5 Plays of the Week" at #3 (:50 seconds in):
http://www.nchc.tv/nchc/video/nchc-nchc-top-5-plays-of-the-week---s3,-episode-7-11-25-15

After the weekend, the Mavs remained #6 in both national hockey polls.

Next up: A non-conference series with Ohio State at Baxter Arena.

Omaha vs. Duluth: Nov. 6-7, 2015 series at Baxter Arena

Well, last weekend was a tough one for the Mavericks. Being swept at Western Michigan wasn't the way we wanted to launch our quest to make the NCHC Frozen Faceoff tournament this year, especially after going 6-0-0 to start the year. But the Mavs have the chance to "right the ship" as they take on #6 Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) this weekend at Baxter Arena.

This Tweet from goalie Kirk Thompson should help get you excited about this weekend:

Pillows and mits are in, worth the wait? #Omaha @ Baxter Arena https://t.co/2jOouWtNeZ

— Kirk Thompson (@Kirkers29) November 5, 2015

Remember, after this weekend's games, the Mavs will be off next week before traveling to Oxford, Ohio to take on the Miami RedHawks the following weekend.

Here'a roundup of the weekend.

OMavs series preview story:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210474706

Omaha World-Herald Friday preview article (@BooneOWH):
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavs-expect-tight-series-with-duluth-once-again/article_4ccdb826-cdda-57b3-b67c-5252b457447c.html

Omaha World-Herald article about Friday's win:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-hockey-bounces-back-with-quick-start-in-win-over/article_4816d4c4-8500-11e5-8995-5360868e903f.html

Omaha World-Herald article about Saturday's SWEEP!
http://www.omaha.com/uno/after-two-disappointing-losses-last-weekend-uno-responds-with-sweep/article_5f0cdbfe-85ca-11e5-b1d7-934bc76bfeba.html

Photos from Saturday night, courtesy of Mark Kuhlmann (Facebook album):
https://www.facebook.com/mark.kuhlmann.94/media_set?set=a.10204970706044131.1073741986.1135800507&type=3&uploaded=19

The Mavericks sweep UMD! @jakenbake20 scored 2 goals to help UNO win 4-2. pic.twitter.com/99GWgi00P2

— Mark Kuhlmann (@coolmancreative) November 8, 2015

Tickets:

Student tickets will be handled differently for this series. Click here for more information.

With high school football on Friday and Husker football on Saturday, I personally know of several people with tickets available for sale. Contact me via Twitter @Mavpuck or through our Facebook page and we'll help connect you!

TV Coverage:
The games will be available on NCHC.tv.

Inside Nebraska, the games will also be broadcast on NET1.
Outside Nebraska, the games will be on Fox College Sports Pacific. That's DirecTV channel 608 and DISH channel 448.

On the television broadcast, Dave Ahlers will handle play-by-play duties and #oldbull David Brisson will provide analysis.

Radio Coverage:
The games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). On Friday, Mike Melbye will do play-by-play. On Saturday, Dave Ahlers will be back to do radio play-by-play. Terry Leahy will provide color for both games, and Lester St. James will report from ice level. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with the First National Bank Pre-Game Show.

Arena Origin Story (Part 5): Dark Times in UNO Athletics

With UNO firmly ensconced in the Qwest Center Omaha, and with the minor league wolves kept at bay (at least temporarily), it appeared the hockey program was on course to attract big-time crowds to their new, modern home circa 2003.

But that simply didn't happen in a meaningful manner over the next decade (despite some "sellout" promotions and other efforts to bring in larger crowds for hockey).

That's not to suggest there weren't benefits to the move, and we all know that on-ice successes (in the form of NCAA tournament appearances in 2006 and 2011) helped the overall prestige of the program.

Despite everything positive that Omaha's arena and convention center brought to our community, there was still a wistful longing to see the UNO Hockey program playing in a more intimate environment.

During the early seasons at the Qwest Center, UNO would play a lone series at the Civic Auditorium (when the QCO hosted the high school wrestling championship).Those series served as a reminder of the energy that a UNO Hockey game could bring, and reminded attendees that the venue could add a certain intangible element to a team's on-ice success.

Trouble Brewing on Dodge Street
In hindsight, we should have known trouble was brewing at UNO back in August of 2004. UNO Athletic Director Bob Danenhauer decided to resign as AD, and take a job with Omaha Public Schools, the coordinator of athletics and supervisor of physical education.

Danenhauer suggested to the Omaha World-Herald at the time that he wanted to cut back on his workload.

While the reasoning was certainly understandable, it appears in the historical perspective to have been a precursor to the financial troubles percolating within the athletic department at the time. The oft cited western-movie reference "Get Out of Dodge" seems particularly appropriate. While Sapp Fieldhouse was no Dodge City, KS, there was something afoot on our bucolic Dodge Street campus.

Everything would come to a head in 2006, and would push forward both the notion that UNO should play in an on-campus arena, and move athletics to Division I.

Dark Times in UNO Athletics
A July 15, 2006 piece in the Omaha World-Herald by Henry Cordes and Rob White exposed both financial problems and improprieties within UNO Athletics.

The Nebraska University system launched an investigation into UNO Athletics after prominent boosters expressed concerns about previously unknown budget shortfalls and positions being eliminated within the department.

Some were even concerned at there was an under-the-table move by Chancellor Nancy Belck to dismantle athletics. The more salient issue was the fact that lavish expenses by Jim Buck (a vice chancellor who had followed Belck to UNO) were piling up, and athletic booster money funded his bills during a time of economic crisis.

Cordes reported on these expenses in the Sept. 8, 2006 issue of the Omaha World-Herald:

When a top aide to UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck traveled to a university administrators conference in Baltimore a year ago, the extra bills piled up.

Vice Chancellor Jim Buck spent $301 so that his wife, Joyce, could fly along with him.

They ate dinner together nightly at some of the city's finest restaurants, spending $226 for a meal at an elegant eatery that featured tuxedoed waiters, fresh-cut flowers and well padded chairs. They spent an average of $153 each of their five nights out.

They teed it up at a Pete Dye-designed golf course considered one of the nation's best, at a cost of $270. On an outing with a guest, they spent $59 on "refreshments.''

Then Buck charged it all to the university's financially troubled athletic department. The trip's expenses are typical of what The World-Herald found when examining newly released records of spending from an athletic booster account by UNO's former No. 2 administrator.

Buck last month resigned his $197,500-a-year post in the wake of World-Herald revelations about his perks and expenses paid by the University of Nebraska at Omaha athletic department, which in recent years has run annual deficits of more than $1 million.

The University of Nebraska's central administration in Lincoln is auditing UNO athletic finances and Buck's expenses. The audit's findings are expected to be presented to the NU Board of Regents today.

Although the full scope of the university audit isn't known, it is almost sure to cite a lack of oversight in how Buck spent athletic department money.

The newly obtained records detail spending that went far beyond the $713-a-month Cadillac lease and the $440-a-month country club dues that Belck previously disclosed. In all, the spending totaled more than $140,000 over five years.

Travel by Buck and his wife, golf outings and expensive dinners appear frequently in the records, including some dinners attended by Belck and her husband.

Joyce Buck flew with her husband at athletic department expense to more than a dozen conferences and business meetings, including trips to Alaska and Hawaii.

Among other costs that Buck billed to the athletic department: a $100 Ducks Unlimited banquet; $350 for membership in United Airlines' Red Carpet Club; $1,000 tickets for Buck and his wife to attend a special dinner for the grand opening of the Holland Performing Arts Center; $1,750 for an office holiday party; satellite radio and OnStar computer mapping services for his leased 2004 Cadillac DeVille; and two trips for him and his wife to the NCAA basketball Final Four.

Buck has not returned repeated phone calls from The World-Herald.

Apparently no one was watching over Buck's spending.

UNO athletic officials say they felt they couldn't question the vice chancellor's expenses, given his oversight role over athletics. For years, UNO's athletic director reported directly to Buck.

"We just had to pass it through,'' Athletic Director David Herbster said.

Officials with the UNO Alumni Association, which controlled the bank account of booster dollars from which Buck spent, likewise said they did not feel they could question his spending. They would make payment as long as he documented what he spent.

UNO Chancellor Belck said she was not aware of all of Buck's expenses. In hindsight, she said, it's clear that there was a lack of oversight.

NU President J.B. Milliken has informed Belck that the university will develop new procedures for reviewing expenses by vice chancellors and chancellors.

"I didn't see any of these until just recently," Belck said, "and there's clearly going to be some changes in the policy.''

Belck said all her meals with Buck that were cited in the records were for legitimate purposes, including discussing university issues and meeting with potential donors.Buck, who followed Belck to UNO from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, previously had his car lease and country club dues paid from Belck's discretionary account, which is funded by the private NU Foundation.

In 2001, to free up more money in that account, Belck and Buck transferred those expenses to an account in athletics funded by hockey booster donations.

After Belck confirmed in July that Buck's perks were being paid for by athletics, The World-Herald requested a complete accounting of all of Buck's expenditures from athletic funds.

Belck and Buck ultimately resigned, and the entire affair left a bad aftertaste that the university has been working to remedy for nearly a decade. Many of the positive changes -- along with greater transparency -- is a result of that period in UNO's history.The silver lining to the cloud was the fact that the NU Board of Regents had appointed former U.S. Senator David Karnes to head up a commission to look into UNO Athletics as part of the 2006 investigation.

A story on Sept. 9, 2006 by Cordes in the World-Herald outlines the commission's thoughts on a new home for UNO Hockey:

His commission called for $250,000 in additional marketing funding for each of the next five years in an effort to fill more seats at the Qwest Center Omaha, the 16,000-seat home that Maverick hockey moved into three years ago.

But he said the ultimate goal should be for the University of Nebraska at Omaha to build a privately funded, on-campus arena that is more intimately sized like the Mavs' former, 8,000-seat home at the Civic Auditorium.

Karnes said the new facility, which would be located on the former Chili Greens golf course off Center Street, is still mostly "a dream'' in concept.

He had no timetable or estimated cost, but he said preliminary indications are that it could be done.

You have to invest money in order to receive a return,'' Karnes told the regents. "We believe that must be done with hockey.''

Karnes's sentiments were really the first "official" instance where serious discussions of an on-campus arena were set forth. It was a concept fans had been discussing in the hypothetical for years, but this was the first time it seemed to have some actual teeth.

It's interesting to consider that without the turmoil of 2006, we might not have opened a new arena this fall.

First NCHC Series in 2015-16: Western Michigan at Kalamazoo, Oct. 30-31

The Mavericks are 6-0-0 heading into their first conference series this weekend at Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they will face a Western Michigan squad that is 2-2-1 on the year so far.

Preview stories:
Series preview article from OMavs:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210458709

Tony Boone's series preview article for the Omaha World-Herald from Kalamazoo:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavericks-want-to-keep-momentum-heading-into-league-hockey-opener/article_7c56dba4-9238-5e4b-9125-28d5b7247fb1.html

OMavs article about UNO's first loss of the season:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210462645

Omaha World-Herald article about Western's 4-2 win over UNO on Friday:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/western-michigan-ends-uno-hockey-s-winning-streak-at/article_9216e38c-7f6c-11e5-9b8f-5b23192ae02b.html

Omavs article about UNO being swept at Western:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210464207

KEY INFO:
Game Time: Game times are 7 p.m. Eastern, so they will begin at 6 p.m. Central.

TV Coverage: Only available via subscription to NCHC.tv (we love our subscription! Subscribe for the year for $94.95 for the whole conference or $79.95 for just UNO's games, for the month for $24.95 for the conference or $16.95 per month for just UNO's games, or per game for $14.95.)
Friday web stream link ($): http://www.nchc.tv/wmu/game/omaha-at-western-michigan-on-20151030
Saturday web stream link ($): http://www.nchc.tv/nchc/game/omaha-at-western-michigan-on-20151031

Dudley's in Aksarben Village will stream both games live. To ensure best seating, arrive 15-20 minutes before the game starts.

Radio Coverage: Both games can be heard live on 1180 The Zone 2 (1180 AM). Dave Ahlers will do play-by-play and Terry Leahy will handle color. The radio show should begin at 5:30 p.m. Central each night.

Live audio and stats can also be found on Omavs.com.

Hashtag: #UNOvsWMU
Twitter Handles:
Western Michigan Hockey: @WMUHockey
UNO Hockey: @UNO_Hockey
Mavpuck: @Mavpuck

For your entertainment, here's a "classic" DMOlition animated GIF from the past:

Polls, Awards, and Honors -- Week of October 26, 2015

After sweeping Air Force at home on the opening weekend for Baxter Arena, we're going to use this post to catalog the awards and honors for this week, and report poll results.

First up is the USCHO poll, released at 11 a.m. on Monday.

The USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine poll quickly followed. It was nice to see that UNO didn't drop in the poll, as some had surmised they might.

Here's the OMavs story about the poll results:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210453503

Update as of 5 p.m. 10/26/15: UNO Hockey did not garner any winners this week in the NCHC "Players of the Week" honors.

Two Mav FANS garnered recognition from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference this week -- we shared "Co-Sporting Ngin Fan of the Week" honors with Caitlin and Carl Harms. Here's the Tweets:

Congrats to our 1st @SportNgin #NCHCFan of the Week, newlywed @Carlos_Harms, who saw @UNO_Hockey open @BaxterArena! https://t.co/TwEgPYpApm

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) October 27, 2015

And congrats to our 2nd @SportNgin #NCHCFan of the Week, @Mavpuck, who celebrated an anniversary with @UNO_Hockey! https://t.co/Wf5UjLH27c

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) October 27, 2015

Two Mavs made the "Top 5 Plays of the Week" for Oct. 23-24:
http://www.nchc.tv/nchc/video/nchc-nchc-top-5-plays-of-the-week---s3,-episode-3-10-27-15



Watch for Austin Ortega's goal at the :55 mark (his is goal #3 in the highlights) and Steven Spinner made UNO Hockey history with the first goal in Baxter Arena history -- watch it at the 1:36 mark of the video.

And the Mavs are #1 in The NCHC power rankings, from Along The Board:
http://alongtheboards.com/2015/10/nchc-power-rankings-omahas-hot-start-continues/

The Inaugural Series at Baxter Arena (UNO vs. Air Force) -- Oct. 23-24, 2015

Wow, what a week it's been for UNO Hockey! In this blog post, I'll round up some of the honors and awards accumulated by individual players and the team this week, provide links to the preview articles about the series, and give you info about pre-game and gametime activities scheduled for this weekend's inaugural weekend at Baxter Arena. (And then after the series, I'll post links to the coverage from the games themselves.)

First, the honors:
UNO achieved its highest-ever poll rankings this week -- for the first time ever, we were ranked #1 in the USA Today/US College Hockey Magazine's poll. We were #2 in the USCHO poll (which is the one that NCAA Ice Hockey uses for their weekly graphic).

Here's the #1 ranking from USA Today/US College Hockey Magazine (week 3):

Here's the #2 ranking from USCHO:

Austin Ortega picked up honors as The NCHC Offensive Player of the week. He has five goals (three of them game winners) and one assist in four games played.

He was also named Warrior Hockey's "Player of the Week":

Ortega's goal earned him the #1 spot in the NCHC Top 5 Plays of the week (week of Oct. 13-17):

http://www.nchc.tv/nchc/video/nchc-nchc-top-5-plays-of-the-week---s3,-episode-2-10-20-15

(starts at the 1:25 mark)

Nominate a play this weekend to the NCHC Top 5 Plays of the week by using the hashtag #NCHCTopPlay on Twitter.

And College Hockey News named UNO its "Team of the Week."

Here's the preview stories:
Here's a story KMTV did about the #1/#2 ranking:
http://www.kmtv.com/news/local-news/uno-mavs-hockey-team-1-in-poll-fans-ecstatic?autoplay=true

USCHO did a story about the opening of Baxter Arena:
http://www.uscho.com/2015/10/22/home-at-last-omaha-opens-baxter-arena-as-one-of-the-top-teams-in-college-hockey/

Tom Shatel talks UNO Hockey:
http://www.omaha.com/sports/shatel-thanks-to-keen-thinking-cu-soccer-nu-volleyball-and/article_86a6fd2f-dd26-597a-8626-b8659a41c1e7.html

OMavs preview article about the series:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210442034

Air Force preview article about the series:
http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/102115aaa.html

Omaha World-Herald preview article about Friday's game:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/in-a-week-of-firsts-uno-hockey-is-trying-to/article_6fbf1f1f-f527-544a-8f13-d60c6ae83152.html

KETV story about the opening of the new arena:
http://www.ketv.com/news/mavericks-opens-baxter-arena-against-air-force/36005562?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=KETV%20NewsWatch%207&Content%20Type=Story

Colorado Springs Gazette preview story about the series:
http://gazette.com/air-force-hockey-hoping-to-spoil-top-ranked-nebraska-omahas-arena-opening-party/article/1561778

"The Bottom Line" (OWH podcast) previews the opening of Baxter Arena:
http://www.omaha.com/sports/blogs/tbl-tony-boone-talks-uno-hockey-baxter-arena-the-crawford/article_f0013406-79cd-11e5-b2aa-23893491be91.html

Original UNO Hockey beat writer Eric Olson (now of the Associated Press) writes about the impact of Baxter Arena and the changes in the UNO Athletic Department since 2009 (article appeared in the San Luis Obispo newspaper):
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/article41286288.html

OMavs story about Friday night's win:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210447114

College Hockey News box score of Friday's game:
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/box/final/20151023/afa/uno/

Omaha World-Herald story about Friday night's game:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-opens-baxter-arena-with-victory-over-air-force/article_6b2a204e-79fa-11e5-900c-e3ce8f9897e8.html

Omaha World-Herald story about the pre-game program:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/notes-alberts-dedicates-arena-to-uno-students-former-a-d/article_cb69cd99-4011-5063-a181-60b476694a91.html

Omaha World-Herald video of the Frozen Four banner raising:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/blog/video-mavs-open-baxter-arena-raise-frozen-four-banner/article_1b298d76-79ed-11e5-9137-8b3802df6974.html

Cool Omaha World-Herald video (with some time-lapse moments) of the opening of the arena:
http://studio.omaha.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=91341&ndn.siteSection=omahawh_spt_ncaa_sty_pp&ndn.videoId=29852042&freewheel=91341&sitesection=omahawh_spt_ncaa_sty_pp&vid=29852042

Tom Shatel shares his thoughts about the first game at Baxter Arena:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/shatel-uno-hockey-opener-brings-more-than-its-share-of/article_f0407b59-d38e-5c8b-aece-90545b724711.html

Here's a time lapse video of the pre-game festivities Friday night:



OMavs story about Saturday's sweep:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210449428

College Hockey News box score of Saturday's game:
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/box/final/20151024/afa/uno/

Omaha World-Herald story about Saturday night's sweep:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/no-letdown-mavericks-bring-opening-weekend-to-a-close-by/article_9bc314f0-7ac1-11e5-8ce7-23514cda1220.html

Dirk Chatelain included the opening of Baxter Arena as part of his "one-drous" night story:
http://www.omaha.com/sports/chatelain-crawford-provides-the-capper-to-a-one-drous-omaha/article_11686c84-f0b4-5bc6-bbdc-77a0d166dbb5.html

Stuff you need to know about the game!
First, UNO has released a special app for Baxter Arena, called "Mav Experience." Read about it here:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-s-baxter-arena-app-is-among-first-of-its/article_3d35b13a-da0d-50a4-a127-9e3e40b68227.html

Parking woes are sure to be an issue for the first series, despite UNO's efforts to get the word out about alternate routes to Baxter Arena and parking options in Aksarben Village. Check out this story about parking options for Baxter Arena:
http://www.unomaha.edu/athletics/arena/parking-information.php

UNO prepared this PDF to address parking/tailgaiting and traffic info:
http://www.omavs.com/pdf9/3999311.pdf

Get to Aksarben Village early and celebrate with other fans at Dudley's Pizza & Tavern's #GetYourGameFaceOn pre-game party! The event starts around 4 p.m. with a photo booth, face painting, emcee/DJ Shif-D, and Q&A with #oldbulls Mark Bernier, Kendall Sidoruk & Dan Swanson. Check out Dudley's new Game Day menu!

More details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/464718103728518/

Also, Dudley's is the "Home of Maverick Hockey" -- they will have live streams (or live TV coverage) of ALL UNO Hockey games, both home and away, during the 2015-16 season. Check out their website here.

Still need tickets for the series? The games are sold out, but you can find tickets here:
Friday tickets
Saturday tickets

Here's how student tickets will be handled (fun YouTube video!)
https://youtu.be/XBeWj9FJnSo

Doors will open on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. We haven't heard an official "start time" for the pre-game activities, but there will be approximately 50 minutes of speeches, ceremonial puck-dropping, and Frozen Four banner-raising. (Estimated puck drop is 7:42 p.m.)

Jim Cornelison will sing the National Anthem:

The Mavs are happy to welcome Jim Cornelison to Baxter Arena on Friday for the National Anthem. Please sing along. https://t.co/vHpSSzMiny

— Maverick Hockey (@UNO_Hockey) October 21, 2015

So get to your seat early, wear black, and GET LOUD! #WearBlackGetLoud

There will be an inaugural night t-shirt that will be available for purchase in the Baxter Arena Team Store. Short-sleeve shirts are $22; long-sleeve are $29, and hoodies are $45. The team store opens at 2 p.m. on Friday.

It's also Parent's Weekend.

Baxter Arena ticket policy re: children:

• Children 2 years and under are free (no ticket required) if they sit on a ticketholder's lap.
• If the 2-year-old wants their own seat, they need a ticket.
• Over 2 years old must have a ticket.

And one important note from UNO:
Once your ticket has been scanned, there is NO RE-ENTRY of the arena. So bring everything you need the first time!

If you want to gear up for the game, visit Lawlor's main location at 84th & J. Tell them you want the "Mavpuck discount" and you'll save 10% on your entire purchase (through 10/31/15).

TV Coverage:
Friday night's game will start at 7 p.m. on NCHC.tv and at 7:30 p.m. on American Sports Network, which is channel 42.2 (over-the-air), Cox Channel 121. It's also on Centurylink Channel 43. DirecTV will also have the game on Friday night channel 628-1 and Saturday morning at 2:30 a.m. on Channel 681. Jim Rich will do play-by-play and Pat Micheletti will provide color.

Radio Coverage:
Both games can be heard live on 1180 The Zone 2 (1180 AM). Dave Ahlers will do play-by-play, and Terry Leahy will handle color. Lester St. James will provide ice-level reports. The radio show should begin at 6:30 p.m.

You can also tune into Mavradio.fm to hear the student call of the game. Noah Sullinger and Matt Barros will have the action for you!

And, just for fun, here's a time lapse of "the building of Baxter Arena" -- not construction, but "a day in the life":
https://hdr.wistia.com/medias/zq0bzwof1d

UNO Hockey on Television 2015-16

Want to watch your UNO Mavericks on television? Here's when UNO Hockey will be on television during the 2015-16 season. (This post will be updated as additional games are picked up, and we'll provide channel information too.)

Friday, Oct. 23 vs. Air Force (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on American Sports Network
Friday, Nov. 6 vs. Minnesota Duluth (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on NET
Friday, Jan. 8 vs. Denver (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on NET
Friday, Jan. 22 vs. Miami (Baxter Arena) -- 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Saturday, Jan. 23 vs. Miami (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on NET
Friday, Jan. 29 at Colorado College (World Arena) -- 8:37 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Friday, Feb. 12 vs. Western Michigan (Baxter Arena) -- 6:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Saturday, Feb. 13 vs. Western Michigan (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on NET
Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. North Dakota (Baxter Arena) -- 7:07 p.m. on American Sports Network

Funding for the NET broadcasts is provided by UNO's Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

The bad news for UNO ticket holders is that the vast majority of games being televised are ones they'll be attending. Seven of the eight games are home games.

And remember, if you want to watch ALL the Mavs conference games (home and away), subscribe to NCHC TV.

Here's the link to the NCHC TV schedule:
http://www.nchchockey.com/page/show/878695-tv-schedule

2015-16 UNO Season Ticket Unboxing Video

This is the first time we've ever received a commemorative box from UNO with our season tickets. So Jon decided to have me film him doing a classic "unboxing" video. These YouTube videos show people narrating the process of opening fun stuff -- iPhones, new computers, etc.

If you have 3 minutes and 12 seconds, enjoy while Jon walks you through what was in our season ticket box! (Note, the season tickets weren't actually IN the box itself. They were in a separate envelope.)

UNO Faces Vermont For First Time Ever

UNO started playing hockey in 1997. Believe it or not, in all those years, UNO has never faced Vermont. That all changes this weekend.

We'll be adding links to the news media coverage of the UNO/Vermont series to this blog post as the week goes on, so check back.

Not headed to Vermont for the games? Don't worry, you'll still be able to watch them.

One question we get a lot is about NCHC.tv. Jon and I subscribed to the NCHC.tv service last year (and renewed for this year!), and it is AWESOME to get to watch other conference games, as well as UNO's conference road games. But NCHC.tv doesn't have non-conference games (except they did pick up last year's Cornell series, for some reason). So, you're at the mercy of whichever conference the home team is part of. Last week's games were on WCHA.tv. We didn't watch last week's games on WCHA.tv, because we were at the games! But we heard mixed reviews from those who watched. That wasn't too bad for those watching for free on Friday at the Baxter Arena season ticket holder pickup party, but I heard complaints from folks on Saturday who paid $5.99 for the game.

We're out of conference again this weekend, so NCHC.tv won't have this weekend's games either. But Vermont has a partnership with the Northeast Sports Network, and they'll be live streaming both UNO vs. Vermont games this weekend. And, best of all, the live stream is free!

Here's the link to the Friday livestream:
http://nsnsports.net/event/nebraska-omaha-vs-vermont-mens-hockey/

Note: It's free, so you might get what you pay for. For example, it uses a Flash player, so you can't view it on an ipad or iPhone.

Here's the link to the Saturday livestream:
http://nsnsports.net/event/nebraska-omaha-vs-vermont-mens-hockey-2/

Here's the news coverage (before & after the series -- links will be added as we get them!)

OMavs series preview:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210423907

Tony Boone's preview of the series:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/road-sweep-just-the-start-for-uno-hockey/article_2505ecd1-7654-5ea7-81ca-0976da4813a6.html

The Burlington Free Press preview of the series (really, more about their goaltending):
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/2015/10/15/santas-time-shine-catamounts/74030254/

Over The Board article (via UNO's Avery Wenck):
http://alongtheboards.com/2015/10/nchc-weekend-preview-omaha-riding-highest-ever-ranking/

Here's the OMavs recap of Friday night's win over Vermont:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210428433

Here's the UVM video highlights of Friday night's win:
https://youtu.be/AifbIyfJics

Here's the Omavs recap of Saturday night -- SWEEP!!!!
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210430816

Heres the UVM video highlights of Saturday night's win:
https://youtu.be/4Vw4c_ystB0

Here's the Omaha World-Herald recap of Saturday night's victory (via the VT beat writer):
http://www.omaha.com/uno/freshman-allows-his-first-goal-but-mavs-stay-perfect/article_17b91e5a-aff0-5505-8826-711875ec43e6.html

And here's the Burlington Free Press recap of Saturday's game:
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/sports/college/2015/10/17/uvm-hockey-stymied-omaha/74158468/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Shortcuts:

Hashtag: #UNOvsUVM

Radio: 1180 AM
Livestream: http://nsnsports.net/

Local hangout: Dudley's Pizza & Tavern in Aksarben Village will show both games.

UNO Achieves Milestone in Weekly College Hockey Polls

Coming off a huge weekend in Mankato, UNO Hockey has achieved a new milestone in program history. UNO is ranked #3 in the USCHO weekly men's hockey poll, and #4 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.

There are two national polls that rank men's Division 1 college hockey teams. Both polls are released mid-morning on Mondays during the season.

UNO finished last season (2014-15) ranked #4 in the USCHO poll, after losing in the semifinal game in the Frozen Four to eventual champion Providence.

Here's the news release from UNO:

OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha hockey team earned its highest ranking in school history, coming in third in the latest poll from USCHO.com.

The Mavericks also were ranked fourth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.  Both rankings were released on Monday.

UNO moved up seven spots in both polls and earned eight first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll, also an all-time high.  They earned one first-place vote in the USA Today poll.

The Mavericks are coming off a sweep at then No. 6/9 Minnesota State last weekend, winning 3-2 and 2-0.  It is their first 2-0-0 start since the 2010-11 season.

UNO is one of six NCHC teams in the USCHO.com top-20 poll.  North Dakota took over the top spot, followed by UNO, Denver (5), Minnesota Duluth (7), St. Cloud State (12) and Miami (18).  UND (1), UMD (7), Denver (8) and St. Cloud State (12) also appear in the USA Today poll.

The Mavericks play No. 20 Vermont in the first-ever meetings between the schools on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17 in Burlington, Vt.

See the release online here:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210415991

We have a new No. 1 (per @USCHO)! 1- @UNDmhockey 2- @FriarsHockey 3- @UNO_Hockey http://t.co/6hDeWwCwjY pic.twitter.com/QvjOmqSpWZ

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) October 12, 2015