Omaha vs. Denver University: Jan. 8-9, 2016 at Baxter Arena

The second half of the season starts this weekend as UNO picks up conference play with a series against Denver University. The Pioneers are currently in sixth place in the NCHC with a 3-4-1 conference record, 7-7-4 overall (the Mavs are in fifth place with a 4-3-1 record in conference play, 14-3-1 overall). Both Omaha and Denver have only played eight conference games so far.

But don't be fooled by their sub .500 record. Denver can come into an arena and steal a game or two. This is a big test for the Mavs. A good weekend can preserve the #UndefeatedAtBaxterArena streak and propel the team to next week's HUGE matchup against #1 North Dakota (#1 in the NCHC, and #1 in the country, currently.) The Mavs need to make sure they don't overlook the Pioneers this weekend, though.

Here's a roundup of stories leading up to the series:

UNO remains #6 in the national polls this week, via the Omaha World-Herald:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/uno-hockey-holds-steady-at-no-in-rankings/article_b6e4991c-b337-11e5-94eb-a3054c4517da.html

And junior forward Austin Ortega picked up NCHC Offensive Player of the Week (Dec. 18-Jan. 3) honors for his four-goal performance against Arizona State (he was a healthy scratch in the exhibition game) -- NCHC news release:
http://www.nchchockey.com/news_article/show/595441?referrer_id=878553

Here's the World-Herald preview for Friday night's game:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavs-high-scoring-ortega-hasn-t-skipped-a-beat-says/article_f57f7f4d-b4de-59d4-a1e7-5e10a06002e5.html

Denver handed UNO its first loss at Baxter Arena (this will be a trivia question someday).

Here's the Omaha World-Herald write-up from Friday night's loss:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/denver-hands-uno-first-baxter-arena-loss/article_d5e3d832-b67f-11e5-b29c-eb6ad72a99a4.html

And don't forget that Sunday is "Skate With The Mavs" (for kids). Details here.
Note: Each session is limited to 60 participants.

Who: UNO vs. Denver Pioneers
Where: Baxter Arena
When: 7:07 p.m. Friday / 7:07 p.m. Saturday

Watch @UNO_Hockey v. @DU_Hockey, Jan. 8 at 7pm CT / 6pm MT on NET or online at https://t.co/jGqS3UEYg7 #Hockey pic.twitter.com/EWUO0SFUb5

— NET Nebraska (@NETNebraska) December 29, 2015

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

Friday night's game will air in-state on NET Nebraska. Here's the link to the live stream:
http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/omaha-maverick-hockey-denver-vs-omaha

Radio Coverage:
The games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). Terry Leahy will provide color commentary both nights. We are waiting on an announcement on who will provide radio play-by-play on Friday night, as Dave Ahlers usually does play-by-play for the TV broadcast. The First National Bank Pre-Game Show will begin at 6:30 p.m. both nights.