By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Omaha Hockey returns home for an NCHC series against (RV) Colorado College, as the Tigers visit Baxter Arena for games Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24.
Omaha enters the weekend 8-16-0 overall and 4-10-0 in NCHC play, while Colorado College comes in 9-10-3 overall and 3-6-3 in the league.
There’s a little extra buzz on Friday night, too: Chuck-a-Puck (or, as Brent Bean has called it, “Hurl-a-Helmet,”) returns to Baxter Arena, presented by Kiewit Corporation. Fans can purchase one puck for $5 or five for $20 for a chance to win a $1,000 travel voucher.
Note: Omaha will also observe a moment of silence pre-game in honor of Colleen Barstow. Barstow was an Omaha Blue Line Club past president. She died of cancer on Jan. 10.
The Home Stretch
This series comes as Omaha goes into its final stretch of the regular season, and it also marks a return of a familiar opponent: the Mavericks swept Colorado College in Colorado Springs earlier this season (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), winning 3-2 on opening night and 5-4 the following night.
Offensively, Maxime Pellerin continues to set the pace for Omaha. The sophomore forward leads the Mavericks with seven goals and eight assists (15 points) and had a goal plus two assists in Omaha’s Jan. 10 game against (RV) St. Cloud State.
In net, Simon Latkoczy returned from injury last weekend at (RV) Miami (Ohio), making his first appearance since Dec. 12. Latkoczy shut out the RedHawks through two periods before Miami scored three times in the third; he finished with 22 saves.
Scouting the Tigers
Colorado College is led in scoring by Owen Beckner (16 points: 6G, 10A), with Gavin Lindberg close behind at 15 points (6G, 9A).
In their most recent action, the Tigers played an exhibition vs. Simon Fraser and won 8-3, with Lindberg and Connor Hvidston each posting two goals and an assist (per Colorado College’s notes). Before that, CC split a home series vs. No. 4 North Dakota on Jan. 9-10.
A couple of important highlights for CC:
The Tigers are averaging 33.7 shots per game (11th nationally).
They lead the NCHC (and are third nationally) in faceoff winning percentage at 54.9%.
Series history
This weekend marks the 55th and 56th meetings between the programs.
Omaha holds a 34-15-7 advantage in the series overall, including an 18-5-5 mark in Omaha, and that the Mavericks have won six straight in the series, including the two games in Colorado Springs earlier this season.
The last time the teams met at Baxter Arena was Jan. 10-11, 2025, when Omaha swept the Tigers, winning 5-2 and 3-1.
Coach Mike Gabinet opened his weekly press conference by announcing defenseman Ryan McCleary as a new addition to the Omaha Hockey roster, acknowledging that his staff and university administration worked quickly get him enrolled and on campus.
“(We’re) pretty excited to get him here and get him with the team. It takes a lot of work to get a person into school that quickly. He started classes this week (and) we’re excited for his addition,” Gabinet said.
When asked what McCleary brings, Gabinet pointed to experience, size, and a right-shot option on the blue line — and also noted Omaha is dealing with an injury on the back end.
“He’s got some pretty good experience. (He) played a lot of junior hockey there and (has) substantial professional hockey (experience) as well. He’s a right shot d-man, a bigger body too, which is nice. Obviously we got Jacob Guevin right now with an injury. I think [McCleary will] be able to step in right away and help contribute,” Gabinet added.
McCleary joined the program Jan. 20 and previously played junior hockey in the WHL and professional hockey in the ECHL. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Senior goaltender Simon Latkoczy spoke candidly about the frustration of an injury timeline that kept stretching out, and the relief of being back in game action.
“It’s never great to be injured. It was supposed to be two weeks, then three weeks… then it was four and five (weeks). It took a longer time than expected," Latkoczy said. "I’m happy to be back. I was happy to play on Friday.”
As a co-captain, Latkoczy also emphasized the team’s mindset, even with the record where it is.
“We have not given up. We are still here and we are fighting. Ten games is a good amount of games… a good amount of points. A lot can change game to game.” Latkoczy added.
Gabinet echoed that idea from the coaching side: narrowing the focus, and identifying what’s costing Omaha in tight games.
“It’s smart anytime you’re going through adversity to narrow the focus. Shift by shift, kind of day by day, game by game is a smart place to live,” he said.
On what needs to translate more consistently, Gabinet pointed to two areas: possession leading to finishing, and turnovers at the wrong time.
“I like some of our o-zone play. Now it’s about finding ways to finish and put the puck in the back of the net,” Gabinet said. “A common theme right now are turnovers. Turnovers at the wrong time. That’s an area of growth for us (to) keep managing the puck properly and making sure we’re making the right decision at the right time and keep working on those things.”
And when asked what’s missing when effort doesn’t translate to results, Gabinet kept coming back to communication and leadership in difficult stretches.
“I don’t think this team is ever not trying hard. When you get punched in the face a couple times, you’re gonna naturally have a little bit of a down (time), and then you gotta kind of get yourself right back up and get back to work,” he added. "Great leaders during difficult times communicate. And then ultimately, the most important thing is to step up and do the work.”
Baxter Arena Birthday Bash (Celebrating 10 Years: 2015-2025):
This weekend also coincides with the Baxter Arena Birthday Bash, as the venue celebrates its anniversary with added in-game activities and fan experiences throughout the weekend.
Fans can expect photo opportunities and special in-game elements tied to the celebration, along with several concession specials available inside the arena. Season Ticket Holders can redeem a $6 souvenir fountain beverage using a QR code, while all fans can take advantage of a $10 hotdog and beverage combo (soda or select beer) at the 1908, 7th, and Bistro concession stands.
There are also a few themed drink options tied to the celebration. A 20-ounce mocktail, the “Durango Juice,” will be available for $5 and served in a lighted glass at 1908, the Club level, and Tailgate. For those looking for specialty cocktails, the 12-ounce “Palomaha Maverick” vodka drink will be offered for $10 at the Club, Nutrl, Suite, Mav Room, and Tailgate locations, while a 12-ounce bourbon sour will be available for $10 at Bull Market, the Club level, Suites, and the Mav Room.
The west lot outside Baxter, Lot 25, is open to donors and single-game pass holders only and parking passes are required to park in that lot. The north lot, Lot 27, offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis, as is Lot 26 (west of the arena, across the creek). Omaha Athletics is also encouraging fans to park in one of the public garages at Aksarben Village.
Fans should arrive early, especially if entering via the west entrance. Have digital tickets ready to scan in the Omaha Mavericks app (or add them from your MyMavs account to your phone’s wallet app). If you have questions, stop by the box office at Baxter Arena before the game or call 402-554-MAVS.
The clear bag policy remains in effect at Baxter Arena, and metal detectors are in place at all entrances. Concession stands are card only (no cash).
> Friday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
> Saturday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
The game will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary provided by Terry Leahy.
TV:
The game will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($)
Live Stats:
Game stats will be available here.
Omaha is on the road to Kalamazoo, Michigan, for a conference rematch against the Western Michigan University Broncos on Jan. 30-31 before returning home for Stripe the Arena (Feb. 13) and Senior Night (Feb. 14) against Denver.
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