Feb. 25 Press Conference
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Hey, Coach. I’ll start it off, and then G (Griffin) can join when he gets here.
Emma Goldstein (Sports Information, Omaha Athletics):
Questions for Head Coach Mike Gabinet?
Timothy Rowher, UNO Blue Line Club Newsletter:
Well, before anything, can we get your comment on the Team USA performance there? And with the fact that, you know, Jake (Guentzel) was on (the) team, does that say anything about the program here?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah, absolutely. I think it’s pretty special that you’ve had an Olympian come through the program there, and do so well. And what an exciting hockey game there. And obviously, former Coach David Quinn — who recruited me to Omaha — so (I) sent him a text as well. So that was pretty exciting to see those two guys get to celebrate a gold medal there. And we were obviously out in Arizona there, but I think the whole team was up at 6 o’clock (a.m.) to take in the game there. So, really good. Probably one of the fastest first periods of hockey I’ve ever seen. And obviously, great win for Team USA. And congratulations to Jake (Guentzel) and David Quinn.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Does it surprise you what Jake has gone on to accomplish professionally, Mike?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Just the times I’ve been on the ice with him and just watching him play, no. I think that’s a rare talent to have somebody with that ability. I mean, he’s one of the 12 best forwards in the whole country. So I think that’s pretty special what he’s done there. And yeah, again, even Lindsey (Ekwerekwu), our academic advisor that kind of handles all our academics for our department — I won’t butcher her last name — but she was just commenting on, too, how even though he left after his junior year, he finished his degree and just the type of kid he was and always nervous to making sure everything was done on time, and just how he conducted himself.
So, (he’s a) pretty special hockey player and obviously made a good impact as a human being with his character as well.
Timothy Rowher, UNO Blue Line Club Newsletter:
So they got up 6:00 in the morning to (watch)?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah, I think so. I think it was pretty exciting to watch. And I know I was up. And yeah, kind of definitely something that a lot of people wanted to see for sure.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Moving on to this weekend, Mike — huge series with Miami. Just talking about the last couple of games here at Baxter this season, and the importance of this series.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Well, we needed two points there in ASU. We got three. Obviously, we wanted six. But again, you can see we’ve been doing the things we need to do to keep ourselves in the mix here. And yeah, now two, obviously, super critical games here coming down the stretch here. So again, talking to the guys, I think we’re trying to use it as excitement, excitement as an opportunity to play some meaningful hockey here down the stretch, and be ready to go. So, really looking forward to that opportunity here to compete this weekend against a good Miami team.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
You’ve talked a lot about players taking ownership of the team’s environment. How have you seen that leadership show up this season, especially at this point in the season?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah, I think it’s constantly growing. I think you’re seeing guys… And I think one of the nice things as a coach is when you don’t have to always say state the obvious or state what needs to be worked on, you’re starting to hear the players talk about it. “This is how we need to play to be successful.” “Hey, we got to be doing these habits, these details to our game in order for us to be playing our best hockey.”
And so I think when you hear the players talking about it, you’re seeing them improve at it. That’s when you know you’re trending in the right direction, and you’re seeing that growth.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Mike, the last home games for the seniors, just talk about the seniors, including Griffin (Ludtke) and Simon (Latkoczy) and the rest.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Well, I think it was nice. We had senior weekend the weekend before, and we’ve seen quite a few teams do that around the country there in the past few years. And I think it was nice to do that, because it’s such a great…we have an event after the game, and you get a chance to see all the families and the parents that you’ve got to know so well over the years and really get a chance to celebrate them.
And then now you get to go and focus on playing two really important hockey games here and kind of being just present in that moment. You don’t have any outside emotions or distractions. There’s extra stuff that obviously they will still be going through. So again, I thought it was a real special senior weekend there to get a chance to see everybody there.
And then now, like you said, hopefully, these guys just get to enjoy it and be excited about it. And let’s get after it. Let’s play some good hockey. Let’s compete out there. Let’s do everything we can to give ourselves a chance of success here. So that’s my message to them. Stay present here, and stay in the moment, and enjoy it. And I’m looking forward to watching these guys play this weekend.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
What would it mean just to send the seniors out on a high note with a series win this weekend?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah, let’s do it, man. I think that’d be great. I think that’s what we’ve been building towards. That’s why we put in all the work, and keep showing up and keep harping on the guys, keep holding guys accountable, keep on having high standards and how we do things here. And it’s all for that. It’s all to let these guys have a chance to play their best hockey when it matters the most. And they’re all capable of doing it because of the work they put in.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
What did you like coming out of that Arizona State series, and what are you emphasizing this week looking forward to Miami?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. I didn’t love our first maybe seven minutes of the game on Friday, but after that, I thought we played some really good hockey on Friday night. And then actually, that first period on Saturday, looking back, it was surprising. I was pretty upset after the game. And I think that’s why it’s always good to watch back and see what the facts are telling you and what reality is telling you.
I think oftentimes — whether you’re a fan or media or whatever — you can really get swayed by the outcome, right? And I think it’s really important as a coach to go back and look at the actual game and see what you did well.
And so I think it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was, looking back, but definitely some things that we needed to do to be successful that we’re not quite doing consistently enough that we did on Friday night. So that’s the message. You really got to get these guys to understand and keep learning on sometimes you just got to keep on playing — I hate the word simple — but you got to do some things that are just going to give you that chance of success. And if you start playing with fire and you start giving pucks to teams that are really skilled, it can go the opposite way there. So not as bad as I thought it was right after the game, but definitely some things that we have to get better at in order to win two hockey games, which is obviously the goal here moving forward.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
What can you say just about Marcus Nguyen’s performance on Friday night — and just his growth throughout the season?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Again, I think he’s just like any young player, right? You’re seeing that — some really good things, and you’re seeing those areas where he’s got to keep getting more consistent at, right? And those are just the facts. That’s what I tell him to his face.
But you’re seeing that growth, man. You’re seeing that growth. And I think he’s bringing some really good speed to that line. You can see he’s got the ability to finish on the net and score big goals for us there, too. So he just keeps getting better. And again, just another guy that I just feel like is getting better. He’s just been getting better all season long. And he continues to work on that consistency, and bringing that effort and that energy every night. And obviously, he’s a big part of our team here.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
I know you take them one at a time this weekend, Mike, but if you could get the sweep, you know you’re going to be in the playoffs. So it’s still in your hands.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. What an opportunity, right? What an opportunity for us there, right? It’s in our hands to do that. It’s an opportunity to work on some of the things we’ve talked about working on all season — what I just talked about, that consistency and bringing it there. And yeah, we get that opportunity this weekend here.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
You obviously faced a high-scoring forward in Cruz Lucius just last weekend. This weekend, you’ve got David Deputy coming in. What does it take defensively as a unit to shut down not just one player, but an entire offense like that?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. You’re seeing that a little bit in our league, right? Teams have a top line, right, or maybe a top two lines, and you have to be conscious of that. And I think one of the biggest compliments you can get as a team or a player is playing smart, right?
And I think that goes to a lot of things going into that. One is knowing your opponent and respecting them, obviously, but also doing the things necessary to make it a really tough night for them against you and taking pride in that, too. So I think that’s something we’ve talked about as a group. You have to be conscious of who you’re out against and what that play is calling for you to do that best helps the team. And so that’s something that obviously we got to be conscious of this weekend when you’re facing firepower.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
What do you take just from the first series against Miami earlier this year? What do you kind of take to this weekend?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. Again, just, hey, looking back, what do we need to be better at, and how do we keep improving, and then boom, move forward and get after it.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Mike, what can you say about Griffin (Ludtke), someone who stayed with the program all the way?
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Yeah. You know what? It was good. Emma asked me today who (to have as the player in the press conference). Usually Emma picks the press conference (player) or (gets) requests for people. But it was nice.
I said, "Hey, let’s get G (Griffin) up here." Obviously, I think that was kind of fun – to kind of a guy that’s been our captain all season long with Simon here and just done a tremendous job staying positive and keeping working and showing up and being consistent in his daily approach here, which is great. So I think it’s just kind of nice to recognize him for a little bit here.
And I know he’s talked a lot. He’s probably just looking forward to playing this weekend here. But again, nice to have him up here with me. And again, I think in today’s environment, it’s a partnership, right? You really got to work with your team. You got to be together. You win together. You lose together. It’s not “me” when we win and “them” when they lose. It’s “us” all the time. And I think that’s the sign of — when adversity hits, I think that’s when you get your biggest indicator of mental toughness, character, all those things. And like I said, you got to go back, look at the facts, and then you got to show up and get better, you know, right? And you’re doing that. People that care and that you care about, good things happen. And I think when it matters most, good things will happen.
Head Coach Mike Gabinet:
Awesome. Okay. Thanks. Thanks, G (Griffin). I’ll let you go. Okay.
Emma Goldstein (Sports Information, Omaha Athletics):
Questions for Griffin?
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
Griffin, just kind of your thoughts on this last weekend here at home as one of the seniors.
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. I think it’s going to be tough to explain. I think something that I’ve been really just emphasizing and trying to be all year is present, and just enjoying the small moments from day to day and just moving from one day to the next throughout the week. So I think there’s going to be a lot of emotions that I can try to prepare for, but that really will do me no service. So I think I’m just excited to play. Kind of like (Coach Gabinet) said, there’s a lot of anticipation for this weekend, and a great opportunity ahead of us.
So I know win or lose on Saturday, that that’s my last game at Baxter — along with the six other seniors — five who have been here the whole time. And I know that that’s going to be a special moment. And we’re going to do everything we can to be on the right side of it.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
We probably should have kept Gabs (Coach Gabinet) here for this because we always ask him what he thinks about the players. But talk about him as a coach — and the coaching staff — especially over these last four years.
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. I owe a lot to this staff. I remember (coach) Dave Noel-Bernier recruited me when I was 15 at the Omaha Lancers camp here and brought (Coach Gabinet) along to come watch me. So I’m 23 now. So I’ve known these guys for eight years of my life. And it’s been a really special eight years.
And I believe that relationships will go far beyond my time here as a player and as a student. So, I’ve seen them grow a lot over the last four years, too. And I think that’s something that you have to have. I think college hockey — and college sports as a whole — has changed a lot. And I give them credit for adapting even in areas that aren’t necessarily natural to their strengths, too. And I think that’s something us as players recognize. And also, when we’re faced with opportunities to grow in areas we’re not necessarily gifted in — or that come naturally — I think it’s a lot easier to do that when you have strong examples at the top.
Tyler Doremus, UNO Gateway:
What’s just the team mindset going into this final weekend?
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
I think it’s honestly the same mindset it’s been the last few months. Like, we’ve … every series is we’ve treated like a playoff series. And sometimes we come out of it with two wins, one win, or no wins, but we’re treating it the same way. And I think that’s what’s so cool about this group is our mentality hasn’t changed. We have fun every single day. You wouldn’t think we were the last-place team in the NCHC based on how we show up, on how we work, but also on how we love and care on each other, too.
I don’t think losses should change your outlook on how you’re going to operate throughout the week. I think you have to obviously take those (seriously) and grow where it’s needed. And if you can’t do that, then I don’t think the league or this team is for you. But I think everyone on our team is capable of doing that, and having fun and enjoying each other’s presence at the same time.
So the mentality is simple. We won practice today. We’ll win practice tomorrow. And then Friday will roll around. And we just take it day by day.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
You guys showed some tremendous resilience on Saturday night battling back to tie the game. And Miami has had flashes where they get up and then they give it away. Does that give you some idea of how quickly things can change maybe this weekend if you don’t come out to the start that you want?
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
To be honest, I didn’t even know that that was a trend that they had in their game. I think both teams are going to emphasize having a great start. And I think that’s something we still want to have, and will push to have, because that can dictate a lot of the game, too.
And I think part of our growth areas this season has just been keeping our foot on the pedal and not having that lull in the second period, and coming out ready to play in the third (period). But I think a lot of that just starts with our first few shifts, getting everyone into the rotation, and then going from there.
So, to be honest, I haven’t thought about that. And I don’t think I will. I just think we’re going to pride ourselves on a great start and go from there.
Mike Patterson, Omaha World-Herald:
As someone from Minnesota, Griffin, what was it like — (cough) excuse me — watching that Olympic hockey game on Sunday with all those Canadian guys? And just your thoughts on Jake Guentzel, someone from the UNO hockey program, being part of that?
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
Yeah. First, just to speak on Jake, I haven’t met him. But when I committed here, my parents sent out a jersey to him. And he signed it and wrote “To Griffin, enjoy UNO and best of luck with your career." So I have that up in my room back at my house in Minnesota.
So I’m grateful for that. And I thought it was so cool that he played here because my favorite player is still Sidney Crosby. And at that point, Jake was playing with Sid. And they were pretty special together. So I think it’s great for him, great for our country, (and) great for our university to have ties to Jake. I know we’re proud of him here. And honestly, just me and Tyler Rollwagen and Chase LaPinta, I believe, are the three — we have a couple of dual citizens — but we’re the three Americans on the team as players.
And we were pretty proud. We love our country. And we’re super happy to see (it), especially the reactions of the U.S. players, too. I thought it was so cool how they’re proud to be American and proud to represent our country. So it was special. And it was fun to win, surrounded by surrounded by some Canadians, too, where there’s a little more on the line.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Last week, speaking of Tyler (Rollwagen), he quoted you as saying, “We hold the pen to our story.” With the final chapters being written now, is this group capable of writing a surprise ending? And what has to be true for that to happen?
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
100%, we’re capable. We’ve been capable of more than we’ve shown this year. And I think everyone in our locker room would agree with that. It’s unique. I think you just asked (Coach Gabinet) a question. But we still have that opportunity. Despite everything, despite the one-goal losses, despite a couple of kicks to the gut where you just are like, “Oh, we got to flush that weekend,” we still have control — or a chance at control. And I think that’s something that can’t be overlooked. And I think that’s something that should be exciting, and not debilitating. It shouldn’t make us freeze.
I think if you’re going to — if it’s going to come down to the last weekend and the last game, I think those are games you dream about, at any level. So, of course, we have the ability. And there’s a lot of belief in the room. And it’ll be a special weekend.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
I have one more (question) then. So I want to close the loop on something real fun. Going back to the first press conference, I had asked you who was holding the aux (cord) in the locker room. And you said it was still on rotation. You have a whole season worth of data now. Tell us, who’s the best DJ.
Griffin Ludtke (Senior Defenseman, Omaha Hockey):
So unfortunately, still on rotation. But Cam Briere is going to take the cake for that one. He’s done a great job. And he’s got a wide variety. But the freshmen are heavily into EDM (electronic dance music) and, I don’t know, bass music. So they’re coming in to stretch at night. And they’re still listening to music you’d hear at a club. So they’re a funny group. But yeah, Cam Briere.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com:
Awesome.
