Omaha Hockey Press Conference Transcript – 10/20/2026
Mike Gabinet (Head Coach, Omaha Hockey)
Thanks for coming. Yeah, looking — looking forward to heading off to Lindenwood here on Wednesday for two big non-conference games, and we’ll have Max Pellerin join us as well here after myself.
So Coach, you had a lead in both games against Augustana, including a 2-0 lead on Saturday. What did you see change as those games progressed, and what needs to happen for this team to be able to finish those type of games?
Yeah, obviously two kind of heartbreaking games where you’re, you know, you’re 1-1 with a minute left in the game on Thursday, and then up by 1 with a couple minutes left on Saturday there. So again, you have to learn from those mistakes.
You know, if we look back on Thursday, obviously it was a, you know, back-and-forth game. I thought our goaltender (William Lacelle) played well and had a chance to come away with a — at least get into overtime there with that game, and, you know, a costly decision there just near the end of the game. So again, you just got to talk about it. You got to have those hard conversations, show it, talk about it — what do we need to be doing differently — and then grow from it.
And then same thing Saturday, you know, a couple opportunities. Man, I thought we could go up 3-1 there, a couple crossbars, and a couple big saves by their goaltender on Saturday, and ultimately just a little bit of soft coverage there with a couple minutes left and they tie the game up there. So again, all growing opportunities there.
How do you go about maybe using a series like this this early in the season against great teams as a measuring stick where this group is at?
Yeah, I think it’s — I think it’s good. I mean, again, you got to — you got to show the positive stuff too there. I thought we’d, you know, I didn’t like our start on Saturday. I thought we watched too much for the first 8 to 10 minutes, and then I liked the rest of our game where we were a lot better on the ice. So you got to show the positives, and you got to show the areas of growth.
But to your point, there’s a team that just beat and tied Minnesota Duluth, you know, who’s probably a national contender this year with the roster they have. So you’re not far off, but you have to learn how to win those games, and not beat yourselves. And I think those are the toughest losses as a coaching staff, is when you find ways to kind of beat yourself instead of maybe, you know, you just didn’t play well and the opponent played better than you. So you got to talk about it, you got to work on it, you got to practice it, you got to put them in the same situations they’re going to face in the games and then continue to grow.
Any update on the team’s health leading into the Lindenwood series? Any players that you were not having available that you’re expecting to get back in the lineup?
Yeah, unfortunately we’ve been hit by the injury bug here a little bit here early, and so (we’re) still going to have Aiden Oiring out, and then a couple other guys are questionable here from the series. A couple — (a) practice injury here recently here too. So yeah, we’ll have to — hopefully we’ll know more here on — but three of our forwards didn’t skate today, and so everybody that was healthy up front was in the lineup. And then — so we should know more a little bit there. But again, that happens. That’s why you got depth. That’s why you got other guys that are ready to step in and play, and could be good opportunities for guys that haven’t played yet to get into the lineup.
You get to go on Thursday, but weekends are home. What have you thought about Maël so far?
Myles (Hilman), did you say? Sorry.
Maël (Lavigne).
Oh, Maël. Yeah. Again, I think just you can see him net presence, you know, even on Saturday. Obviously the goal Thursday and then just excellent net presence on Berge’s goal on Saturday there, and doing some great things around the net. I think that’s one — I think he was one of the highest-rated net-front players out of the QMGHL recruiting him out there, and we wanted a little bit more size up front, and he’s done just that. And then he continues to develop away from the puck as well, and defensively too. Like all young players that, you know, got to get used to the speed, kind of just how fast things happen defensively.
I think as a team in general too, just the speed of the game was a little bit of an eye-opener. Obviously Air Force plays hard and fast, and so does, you know, Manitoba’s an older team, but I think that was another level of just how on top of the forecheck they are and how quick decisions have to be made, how you got to decide things when you’re fatigued to make the correct decision.
It seemed like that lineup level two with (Cameron) Briere and (Joel) Plante there just really clicked together throughout the weekend. Did you like their plays?
Yeah, I didn’t like them as much on Thursday, to be honest. I thought they had a goal there, and I thought they really struggled defensively on Thursday, and then I thought they were a lot better on Saturday on both ends of the sheet.
Looking ahead to the Lindenwood series, you guys were perfect on your penalty kills, but Lindenwood got four power play goals on Friday against Air Force. How important do you think special teams are going to be this upcoming weekend?
Yeah, I think it’s really important. Obviously, you know, both penalty kills did a really good job this past weekend with no power play goals, I think, by either team. But I think in those tight games, you know, when your power play can find a way to get a goal and your penalty kill can find a way to not let them score, that could be the difference in the game. So always obviously super important.
They’re (Lindenwood) a high-scoring team. I think if you look at their last six games or whatever they played, I think they’re averaging, I don’t know, it’s high — maybe six — yeah, four goals at least a game, and kind of a — kind of a two-way team that, you know, thrives off transition and likes to attack the net and shoot a lot of pucks on net. So (we) have to be prepared for that.
When a team starts 0-2 despite being competitive in both games, what are you looking for from your leadership group — since we’ve got Max (Pellerin) coming in here — to help them stay on track?
Yeah, I think you have to be in charge and you have to be process-focused and you have to be a leader, I think. You know, I think especially just during these times when you — you know, those are just, again, tough weekends where you’re, you know, two minutes away from maybe a 2-0 weekend. And that overtime, you know, counts as a loss. You get some Pairwise points, but it still feels like a loss.
And so you really have to come in with a plan, I think, on Monday and a good positive attitude and time to get to work and have those tough, honest conversations and hold yourself and people accountable, but also maintain some enthusiasm and energy that you need to get better and what you got to do to work. So again, that’s your job.
That’s why, you know, sometimes that’s the fun in coaching when you have a tough situation and you’ve got to bring that juice, that energy, and that plan to continue to work and get better and help guys understand how to keep improving.
So speaking of that, what are you looking for the team to come out with on Friday to establish that and get that “juice” going?
Yeah, I think to start, I think to, you know, just to start on time I think is an area of growth for us. You know, I think just — I thought Thursday too we watched a little bit early there too and kind of taking in information instead of just playing and winning races, winning some battles early and not overthinking and just getting yourself engaged into the game. So I think from the — one of the main things is going to be the start.
And then again, I want to continue to work on our pressure break outs. I think the more you can spend energy early defensively allows you to have a little bit more energy in the offensive zone. And when you have some more sustained O-zone (offensive zone) time, usually that leads to them not breaking out as cleanly, you establishing your gap in the offensive zone and slowing down their transition rush offense. So some things that we can improve on going into Lindenwood right there. Okay. Okay, thanks guys.
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Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
So Max, you had a 2-0 lead against Augustana Saturday night and you had some opportunities to extend that lead — including Gavin Hodnett hitting a post late in the third there. From a player’s perspective, what changed for you as the game went along, and what can you take from that experience going forward?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
I mean, obviously in college hockey it’s not over till the buzzer hits. Yeah, I mean, we missed a couple chances, whether it was Hods (Hodnett) or even defensively chances of killing plays. But I think for me, a big thing going into the weekend is that we could have taken that game away with a power play (goal) with five minutes left in the game.
But I mean, what’s done is done and we’re looking forward to next weekend and getting to Lindenwood to win games.
Jordan McAlpine
Max, I don’t know if the results you guys wanted this first weekend, but just to get a real test against another opponent — see how you guys stack up, especially against a ranked team like that — how much can you build off that for the rest of the season?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Oh, I think we can build a ton off of it. We learned, obviously we played those two preseason games and then played (a) ranked opponent. So I think as a group we learned a lot last weekend and we can just bring — if we bring our pace and really our pace of play for the game this weekend, I think I like our chances.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
You’ve been a pretty consistent offensive producer throughout your entire career. How do you balance that when the points aren’t quite coming? How do you have that patience — or know when it’s time to jump in and spark something?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Well, you know, points are a thing, but they don’t always come. Even though you can play a good game and get no reward or points for it, and you can play a really bad game and get a point. But obviously it would be nice to get going here. I mean, all you can control as a player, I believe, is just the way I play, the details, and keep doing the right things and suddenly good things will happen — either on or off the score sheet. But we’re looking forward to (getting) the wins.
Jordan McAlpine
What do you guys know about Lindenwood?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Oh, yeah. It’s in St. Louis, I mean, they’re not in a conference. I know they’re a pretty good team. They battle. They’re an offensive team. You know, we watch college hockey and we’re aware of what’s happening. They beat good teams this year. So obviously we’re coming prepared.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
What are you looking to do differently against Lindenwood than what you did against Augustana?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
I think playing our game and trying to install our pace of play, dictate the game, and be more in control.
Jordan McAlpine
You guys got a lot of new faces this year. Having an early season road trip like this, how much can that help the chemistry and kind of bond between you guys getting on the road?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Oh, it for sure helps. I mean, we’ve been here for training camp. I don’t even feel like they’re new faces anymore. You know, we’ve been hanging out together a lot and getting to know each other, on and off the ice. Yeah, and it was just fun too to see the guys contribute early on this season. I think of Maël, Dejs (Vincent Desjardins), obviously other guys these guys scored, yeah.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
Building on that, what is something about this group of guys that fans may not know — that you want them to know?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Excuse me, can you repeat that?
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
Yeah, so building on what you were talking about, the cohesion that you guys have, what are some things — maybe one thing — that the fans should know about this group of guys?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
I think we put in the work every day. It’s pretty cliché, but we’ve been doing that for two months and I really think our intentions — and our intensity — has been there throughout those two months. So we’re really looking to convert (that) to on the ice during games now.
Bridget Brooks, MavPuck.com
You were captain of your hometown team in Victoriaville, and now you’re (an) assistant captain here at Omaha. What did that experience in Victoriaville, teach you — that is bringing that — that is giving you that opportunity to provide that same kind of leadership?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
Oh, it taught me a lot of stuff, meaning managing guys and just knowing your role. Also on a team, when you wear a letter, guys look up to you — and also being sometimes just a big brother for the guys and trying to read who needs — who sometimes need help, who sometimes don’t. I mean, yeah, back from Victoriaville, has taught me a lot and just kind of building off that.
I mean, here we have a lot of guys who wore letters in the past that are either captain or A’s (assistant). So it obviously makes our job as a leader easier because everyone kind of leads their own way, vocal or not, by example or not. So obviously makes our job easier, yeah.
Jordan McAlpine
Max, you saw Maël in the Q (QMJHL). Where he’s at now, how much has his game grown over the years?
Maxime Pellerin, Junior Forward
It’s funny because Maël got traded at 17 years old to where I play. So I think his game has gone up ever since. Always intriguing player, but I think he’s super smart, kind of always in the right spot, and also likes to play a physical game and get under (an) opponent’s skin. So it’s always nice when you got that type of guy on your team, I feel like, yeah.
Thank you guys.
So Max, you had a 2-0 lead against Augustana Saturday night and you had some opportunities to extend that lead — including Gavin Hodnett hitting a post late in the third there. From a player’s perspective, what changed for you as the game went along, and what can you take from that experience going forward?
I mean, obviously in college hockey it’s not over till the buzzer hits. Yeah, I mean, we missed a couple chances, whether it was Hods (Hodnett) or even defensively chances of killing plays. But I think for me, a big thing going into the weekend is that we could have taken that game away with a power play (goal) with five minutes left in the game.
But I mean, what’s done is done and we’re looking forward to next weekend and getting to Lindenwood to win games.
Max, I don’t know if the results you guys wanted this first weekend, but just to get a real test against another opponent — see how you guys stack up, especially against a ranked team like that — how much can you build off that for the rest of the season?
Oh, I think we can build a ton off of it. We learned, obviously we played those two preseason games and then played (a) ranked opponent. So I think as a group we learned a lot last weekend and we can just bring — if we bring our pace and really our pace of play for the game this weekend, I think I like our chances.
You’ve been a pretty consistent offensive producer throughout your entire career. How do you balance that when the points aren’t quite coming? How do you have that patience — or know when it’s time to jump in and spark something?
Well, you know, points are a thing, but they don’t always come. Even though you can play a good game and get no reward or points for it, and you can play a really bad game and get a point. But obviously it would be nice to get going here. I mean, all you can control as a player, I believe, is just the way I play, the details, and keep doing the right things and suddenly good things will happen — either on or off the score sheet. But we’re looking forward to (getting) the wins.
What do you guys know about Lindenwood?
Oh, yeah. It’s in St. Louis, I mean, they’re not in a conference. I know they’re a pretty good team. They battle. They’re an offensive team. You know, we watch college hockey and we’re aware of what’s happening. They beat good teams this year. So obviously we’re coming prepared.
What are you looking to do differently against Lindenwood than what you did against Augustana?
I think playing our game and trying to install our pace of play, dictate the game, and be more in control.
You guys got a lot of new faces this year. Having an early season road trip like this, how much can that help the chemistry and kind of bond between you guys getting on the road?
Oh, it for sure helps. I mean, we’ve been here for training camp. I don’t even feel like they’re new faces anymore. You know, we’ve been hanging out together a lot and getting to know each other, on and off the ice. Yeah, and it was just fun too to see the guys contribute early on this season. I think of Maël, Dejs (Vincent Desjardins), obviously other guys these guys scored, yeah.
Building on that, what is something about this group of guys that fans may not know — that you want them to know?
Excuse me, can you repeat that?
Yeah, so building on what you were talking about, the cohesion that you guys have, what are some things — maybe one thing — that the fans should know about this group of guys?
I think we put in the work every day. It’s pretty cliché, but we’ve been doing that for two months and I really think our intentions — and our intensity — has been there throughout those two months. So we’re really looking to convert (that) to on the ice during games now.
You were captain of your hometown team in Victoriaville, and now you’re (an) assistant captain here at Omaha. What did that experience in Victoriaville, teach you — that is bringing that — that is giving you that opportunity to provide that same kind of leadership?
Oh, it taught me a lot of stuff, meaning managing guys and just knowing your role. Also on a team, when you wear a letter, guys look up to you — and also being sometimes just a big brother for the guys and trying to read who needs — who sometimes need help, who sometimes don’t. I mean, yeah, back from Victoriaville, has taught me a lot and just kind of building off that.
I mean, here we have a lot of guys who wore letters in the past that are either captain or A’s (assistant). So it obviously makes our job as a leader easier because everyone kind of leads their own way, vocal or not, by example or not. So obviously makes our job easier, yeah.
Max, you saw Maël in the Q (QMJHL). Where he’s at now, how much has his game grown over the years?
It’s funny because Maël got traded at 17 years old to where I play. So I think his game has gone up ever since. Always intriguing player, but I think he’s super smart, kind of always in the right spot, and also likes to play a physical game and get under (an) opponent’s skin. So it’s always nice when you got that type of guy on your team, I feel like, yeah.
Thank you guys.
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