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
Break out your boots and cowbells! 👢🤠🐄
— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) February 6, 2025
Omaha Hockey takes on Minnesota Duluth for Country and Cowbells night Friday, February 7th at 7:07 pm at Baxter Arena!
We are in the fight to host the first round of the NCHC Playoffs, let’s show the Bulldogs what it’s like playing in… pic.twitter.com/63pj3qOxh8
Saturday, Feb. 8
Maverick Miracle Night
🧸✨ This Saturday is Maverick Miracle Night! We’ve teamed up with @UNO_DM, @MavPro, and @UNOmavmaniacs to raise awareness for the Rainbow House at Children’s Hospital! You can bring a new stuffed animal or purchase one at the door to donate!
— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) February 6, 2025
Omaha Hockey and Minnesota Duluth… pic.twitter.com/noUDoaAlwN
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.)
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