Series Preview: Ice Breaker Tournament, Las Vegas, Oct. 11-12, 2024

The 2024-25 hockey season kicks off at the Ice Breaker Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Omaha Mavericks will face the UMass Minutemen on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. Central. The Mavs will face either the University of Minnesota or the Air Force Academy on Saturday, depending on the outcomes of Friday’s games.

No. 15/17 Omaha and No. 14 UMass last faced off almost 20 years ago — in December 2004 in Amherst, Mass. — with Omaha Hockey losing 5-2. The overall series is 5-2-1 in favor of the Mavericks all-time. 

UMass has played two games already, a regular-season win against Bentley and an exhibition loss in overtime versus RPI.

Omaha fell 3-2 in overtime to the University of Wisconsin in an exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Baxter Arena. Omaha had jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals from junior forward Tyler Rollwagen before surrendering two goals in the third period. 

Coach Mike Gabinet said the team “got some really good feedback from the game.” He added, “It didn’t feel like an exhibition game. It felt like a game almost in February or March, to be honest, with the pace and tempo to that.”

Looking ahead to UMass, Gabinet said, “It will be an exciting test to get those guys to open the season.” He noted they are a ranked team that won a national championship in 2021.

UMass is one of the top 3 college hockey teams by average height (6'1.3"), while Omaha is one of the 5 smallest teams (average height of 5'11.6"). The height difference doesn’t worry Coach Gabinet. “So long as you are ultra-competitive and get inside and have good posture, have good leverage — good things happen, no matter [the] size of the [team] you’re going against.” 

For Fans Attending the Games in Person in Las Vegas:

The Omaha vs. UMass game starts at 4 p.m. local time at Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue in Paradise, Nevada. Orleans Arena has a clear bag policy and is cashless for concession purchases. Parking is free for all guests. (Full arena policies.) 

Game tickets can be accessed from the Boyd Gaming Ticketmaster site here. 

The “Mavs on the Move” event, sponsored by the UNO Alumni Association, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 in the Dauphine Ballroom in the Orleans Hotel & Casino. Registration has closed. Omaha fans WILL be able to re-enter the arena for the Air Force vs. Minnesota game. Please stop at the box office to have your hand stamped BEFORE leaving the arena (your game ticket will not work for a second entry). 

For Fans Not Attending In Person:

All games will be on the Big 10+ Livestream ($).

When:

> Friday, 6 p.m. Central at Orleans Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)

> Saturday, either 6 p.m. Central or 9:30 p.m. Central (depending on outcome of Friday’s game)

Radio:

Both games will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.

TV:

Friday and Saturday night’s games will be streamed on the Big 10+ Network. 

Here is the link to the Friday broadcast:

https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/livestream/icebreaker-tournament-umass-vs-nebraska-omaha/1807538

(It’s $12.99 to subscribe to the Big 10+ Network for one month; be sure to cancel your subscription after the weekend so it doesn’t automatically renew next month)

(Note: the Saturday game streams will be activated after the outcome of Friday’s games is known.)

There is a watch party on Friday night at Aksarben Cinema; however, it is sold out.

Live Stats:

Friday and Saturday night stats will be available here.

Catch up on the MavPuckCast podcast by watching a special mini episode of the podcast. In the 13-minute Season 7, Episode 4, Jon recaps the Wisconsin series, previews the Ice Breaker, and showcases our amazing Founding Members! 

Next up: Omaha faces Augustana at Baxter Arena on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19. Puck drop for both games is at 7:07 p.m.