We’ve said it before … we’ll say it again: “It’s another Top 20 matchup at Baxter Arena this weekend” as the #16 Omaha Mavericks welcome the #3 North Dakota Fighting Hawks to Baxter Arena for a pair of games.
This is the final series of the 2023-24 regular season. North Dakota claimed the Penrose Cup (NCHC regular season champion) in Grand Forks last weekend and is locked into home ice as the #1 seed for the first round of the NCHC playoffs. They will face last-place Miami (OH) next week (which Omaha swept last weekend in Oxford, Ohio).
North Dakota is 24-8-2 overall (15-6-1 in the NCHC). The team is currently on a four-game win streak, sweeping Minnesota Duluth and Western Michigan on successive weekends in Grand Forks. Final scores were 5-3 over WMU on Friday and 3-0 over the Broncos on Saturday. But the Fighting Hawks are 7-4-1 on the road, and Colorado College did manage a sweep of North Dakota in Colorado Springs two weeks ago.
Omaha has never swept North Dakota (during both our time in the WCHA and the NCHC).
Omaha is 18-10-4 overall (11-8-3 in the NCHC). The Mavericks are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games, and are 14-1 in one-goal games. The two teams met in January in Grand Forks. Omaha won Friday night’s game 5-4 in overtime, but North Dakota got the win on Saturday night, 3-1.
North Dakota leads all-time series between the two teams 36-19-2. The record is 16-9-12 in favor of North Dakota for games played in Omaha.
Coach Mike Gabinet said the team is ready for another tough matchup.
“I feel like it’s been a big weekend every weekend for the last — how many weekends? So just ‘business as usual’ and making sure we’re doing everything we can to prepare here and get ready for North Dakota on Friday night,” Gabinet said.
“I can’t think back to a weekend that hasn’t been a big weekend that people aren’t like – ‘Oh, this is the weekend that is important’ — so it almost gets to be almost humorous after a while because you’re just so used to it,” he added.
“You know what? You’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some. Do I know what’s going to happen? No, but you know what I know? That group in there (the players), man, they get after it. I know that coaching staff gets after it. I know nobody’s going to outwork us and out-prepare us, and that’s what we can control, and that’s what we want to build our confidence with is by the work we put in there. And the results will be the results,” Gabinet said.
Saturday night, the Maverick seniors will be honored. Gabinet reflected on the seniors and their impact.
Omaha still has a chance to secure home ice. Realistically, Omaha needs at least five points (and help from Denver) to secure home ice. In addition to North Dakota, St. Cloud and Denver have both secured home ice.
Colorado College has 38 points and is currently in fourth place. Omaha has 34 points and is in fifth place, 3 points ahead of Western Michigan. WMU plays Miami to end the season. Omaha can finish anywhere from fourth to six place. Western doesn’t have a chance for home ice for the playoffs, but could still finish ahead of UNO.
Here’s the NCHC summary:
For Fans Attending the Games in Person:
The west lot outside Baxter, Lot 25, is now open to donors only and 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 is 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.
Sellout crowds are expected this weekend. 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 now at all entrances. All concession stands are card only (no cash).
Promotions:
Friday night is Leap-For-A-Cure night. There will be a table in the concourse where LFAC representatives will be collecting donations. In addition, the game-worn jersey auctions starts online Friday (ending Thursday, March 14). The Saturday night “grays” will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to Leap-For-A-Cure.
Saturday night is Senior Night and a White Out. (No shorts will be distributed; fans are encouraged to wear white.)
The seniors being honored are Brock Bremer, Jimmy Glynn, Nolan Krenzen, Matt Miller, Kirby Proctor (GR) Jack Randl (GR), and Nolan Sullivan (GR).
Transfers Seth Eisele, Jesse Lansdell and Dom Vidoli are closing out their Maverick careers but will not be honored on ice as they were honored as seniors by their previous teams.
* GR – Graduate student
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