Series Preview: Playoff Hockey – Omaha at UMD, March 15-17, 2019

It’s time for the first round of the NCHC Playoffs!

UNO ended up in seventh place in the NCHC (they finished the season tied in points, but the Mavs had the tiebreaker over the Miami RedHawks). Consequently, UNO is traveling to Duluth, Minnesota to take on the conference runner-up Bulldogs. UMD is currently ranked #4 nationally (and is #4 in the Pairwise).

The quarterfinals are a best-of-three series, with games Friday and Saturday (and Sunday, if necessary).

Omaha is 9-22-3 overall (5-17-2-0/1 in the NCHC). UNO was swept by the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks, losing 2-1 on Friday and 5-4 on Saturday. The Mavs were unable to leave town after Saturday night's game due to weather, a story that was covered by Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald.

Last weekend, UMD was also swept at St. Cloud State by a score of 4-3 in both games. Friday night's game went to overtime while Saturday's ended in regulation.

When the Mavericks and Bulldogs met in Duluth in January, UMD won both games. UMD is 11-3-1 at AMSOIL this season and is 5-5-0 in its last 10 games.

There was no Weekly Media Availability this week (likely due to UNO Men's Basketball competing in the Summit League championships).

Series preview articles:
OMavs — https://omavs.com/news/2019/3/14/hockey-mavericks-open-playoffs-at-no-4-umd.aspx

UMD – https://umdbulldogs.com/news/2019/3/14/mens-hockey-nchc-playoff-push-begins-this-weekend-for-no-3-umd-with-quarterfinal-round-home-series-against-omaha.aspx

When:

> Friday, 7:07 p.m. CT

> Saturday, 7:07 p.m. CT

> Sunday, 7:07 p.m. CT (if necessary)

Radio:

Both games will be broadcast live on 1180 AM (Zone 2). Dave Ahlers will provide play-by-play and Terry Leahy will give color commentary. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off. 

TV:

Both games will also be streamed on NCHC.tv ($)

Live Audio and Stats:

Live Audio: Click here

Live Stats: Click here

Also be sure to check out the 21st episode of the “MavPuckCast with Jason & Jon.” This week's segments: F’n Hawks Again, New/Old Austin, and Playoffs Begin in Duluth.