By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
The Omaha Mavericks (4-2-0, 2-0-0 NCHC) return home to Baxter Arena this Friday and Saturday (Nov. 7-8) for a high-stakes series vs. the nationally-ranked North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5-3-0, 1-1-0 NCHC), who enter at No. 8 in both major polls.
North Dakota has started strong with a 3-2 home record and 2-1 on the road, including a sweep of St. Thomas Tommies (in a home-and-home series) and splits against Minnesota Golden Gophers and Clarkson Golden Knights. The Fighting Hawks are averaging more than three goals per game while holding opponents to roughly two-and-a-half. UND’s depth and consistent play make them a formidable NCHC foe.
“Finding ways to win is a really crucial thing to being successful in this league,” Gabinet said. “You could really see our guys digging (in) at certain points in that game to allow ourselves to get the victory.”
Gabinet added that he was particularly encouraged by his team’s consistency and the contributions from throughout the lineup.
“(It) was back and forth and (there were) some pretty tense moments (on) both Friday and Saturday night there,” he said. “To come away on top was a special weekend.”
Senior forward Tyler Rollwagen said the group learned a lot from its first NCHC test — especially about how to handle momentum swings.
“It was nice to start league play and kind of show that every night it’s not going to be easy,” Rollwagen said. “Friday night was big to take three points, and then obviously Saturday to get that sweep was good. We’ve got to bring it every night.”
He also praised the team’s ability to respond when challenged.
“If we get scored on, it doesn’t really affect us,” Rollwagen said. “We always talk about the next three shifts when we get scored on. So I think our mentality was, you know what, it’s the next three shifts. It says a lot about the group and (our) preparation, where if we get scored in, it doesn’t really affect us.”
This weekend’s series marks the first meeting between Omaha and North Dakota since last March, when the Fighting Hawks swept the Mavericks in the NCHC Quarterfinals to end Omaha’s season. North Dakota leads the all-time series 39-23-2, including an 11-20-1 mark in Omaha.
Gabinet said the Mavericks are well aware of the challenge that awaits.
“They’re a good hockey team,” he noted. “We know their personnel and we know their style of play. They play hard, they’re tenacious on pucks, and they’ve outshot their opponents in most games. We’ll be prepared for them — but we also want to keep the focus on us and keep improving as a group.”
Interesting Tidbits:
- Series history: Omaha is 23-39-2 all-time vs. North Dakota, 11-20-1 at Baxter Arena. UND swept Omaha in the 2025 NCHC Quarterfinals to end Omaha’s season, while the teams split their regular-season series in Grand Forks.
Conference momentum: Omaha opened NCHC play 2-0-0 after sweeping Colorado College, while North Dakota sits 1-1-0 following a split with UMD.
National recognition: North Dakota is ranked No. 8 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. Omaha didn’t crack the Top 20 despite sweeping the no. 15 Tigers and splitting with no. 13 UMass and no. 20 Minnesota State-Mankato.
Depth scoring: Omaha continues to see balanced production — 12 different Mavericks have scored through the team’s first six games. Sophomore Forward Maxime Pellerin leads the team scoring with 5 goals and 3 assists.
Special teams: Omaha’s power play found momentum in Colorado Springs, generating key goals and sustained zone pressure both nights. Omaha is now 6-22 on the power play for the season (27%).
Game previews:
- Omaha Athletics: https://omavs.com/news/2025/11/6/-rv-hockey-to-host-no-8-north-dakota-in-rivalry-series.aspx
- University of North Dakota Athletics: https://fightinghawks.com/news/2025/11/5/mens-hockey-notes-no-8-und-faces-first-road-nchc-test-at-omaha.aspx
- Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, ND) ($): https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/omahas-roster-remake-among-college-hockeys-most-unique
- Hurrdat Sports (Jordan McAlpine): https://hurrdatsports.com/omavs/hockey/series-preview-omaha-hockey-looks-to-stay-hot-against-no-8-north-dakota/
- UNO Gateway (Tyler Doremus): https://www.unothegateway.com/sports/hockey/puck-preview-mavericks-host-rival-north-dakota-in-weekend-showdown/article_ac9b1fd7-d61d-4111-9abb-fe77482fcc2b.html
The west lot outside Baxter, Lot 25, is open to donors and single-game pass holders only and parking passes are required to park in that lot. The north lot, Lot 27, offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis, as is Lot 26 (west of the arena, across the creek). Omaha Athletics is also encouraging fans to park in one of the public garages at Aksarben Village.
Fans should arrive early, especially if entering via the west entrance. Have digital tickets ready to scan in the Omaha Mavericks app (or add them from your MyMavs account to your phone’s wallet app). If you have questions, stop by the box office at Baxter Arena before the game or call 402-554-MAVS.
The clear bag policy remains in effect at Baxter Arena, and metal detectors are in place at all entrances. Concession stands are card only (no cash).
> Friday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
> Saturday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
The game will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.
TV:
The game will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($)
Live Stats:
Game stats will be available here.
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