Series Preview: Omaha vs. SCSU, Nov. 6-7, 2026

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey returns to Baxter Arena this weekend for its first home NCHC series of the 2026-27 season, hosting St. Cloud State on Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m. CT.

The Mavericks (2-4-0, 0-2-0 NCHC) are looking to bounce back after being swept by then-No. 3 Denver last weekend. Omaha dropped a close 2-1 decision Friday before falling 4-1 Saturday at Magness Arena.

St. Cloud State (3-4-0, 1-1-0 NCHC) enters the weekend receiving votes in the USCHO national poll. The Huskies split their conference-opening series against Arizona State last weekend, losing 3-2 Friday before responding with a 2-1 victory Saturday.

The Mavericks have played just one regular-season home game so far this season, a 3-2 overtime loss to Augustana on Oct. 17. After four consecutive road games, Omaha will be looking to take advantage of playing at Baxter Arena.

Friday will also be a historic night for Omaha Athletics, as former Maverick Jake Guentzel becomes the first player in school history to have his jersey retired. Guentzel and former Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Kemp will also be recognized as members of the 2026 Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame class.

Looking Back at Denver
Omaha came away from Denver without a conference win, but the Mavericks were competitive against the defending national champions.

On Friday, freshman goaltender Will Lacelle made 37 saves, while captain Marc Lajoie blocked a game-high six shots. Vincent Desjardins tied the game at 1-1 midway through the third period, but Denver responded less than two minutes later with the game-winning goal.

Saturday, Omaha struck first when Luke Woodworth scored on the power play at 7:50 of the opening period. The Mavericks carried their 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but Denver scored twice in the second period and added two more goals in the third, including an empty-netter.

Lacelle finished Saturday’s game with 25 saves.

Despite the losses, Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet believes his team made progress during the series, particularly Saturday.

The Mavericks have scored 16 goals in six games, with 11 different players finding the back of the net. Senior defenseman Parker Berge leads Omaha with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists), while Woodworth and Maxime Pellerin each have two goals.

Omaha’s penalty kill has also been a strength. The Mavericks successfully killed their first 20 penalties of the season before Denver scored on the power play Saturday. Omaha enters the weekend with a 95.2 percent penalty kill rate, second nationally behind Arizona State.

Lacelle has been another bright spot, posting a .927 save percentage through the first six games.

Scouting the Huskies
St. Cloud State enters its first season under head coach Nick Oliver, who took over a program that finished 16-19-1 last season.

The Huskies have already recorded victories over two nationally ranked opponents, defeating No. 12/16 Michigan Tech 5-3 on Oct. 10 and No. 16/15 Boston College 5-3 on Oct. 17.

Oliver became just the second St. Cloud State head coach in the Division I era to earn his first two victories against ranked opponents, joining former Huskies coach Bob Motzko.

St. Cloud has split its last three series, losing the opener each weekend before winning the second game.

Last weekend against Arizona State, the Huskies lost Friday’s opener 3-2 after surrendering a third-period goal. On Saturday, freshman Hayden Paupanekis scored just 14 seconds into the game, and William Ahlrik added another goal at 4:31. St. Cloud held on for a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 43-27.

Sophomore goaltender Yan Shostak has been a key part of the Huskies’ early success. In his last three starts, Shostak has posted a 2-1-0 record, a 2.36 goals-against average, and a .943 save percentage.

He made 43 saves in the victory over Boston College and another 42 against Arizona State.

Offensively, St. Cloud is led by junior captain Gavyn Thoreson, who has eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) through seven games. Sophomore Nolan Roed follows with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists), while Noah Urness has five points (1 goal, 4 assists).

The trio has combined for 20 of St. Cloud’s 49 individual scoring points this season and has contributed to 10 of the team's 18 goals.

The Huskies are converting 16 percent of their power-play opportunities (4-for-25) and have killed 80 percent of opposing power plays (20-for-25).

Series History
St. Cloud State leads the all-time series against Omaha 31-21-4, but the Mavericks have had the advantage in recent meetings.

Omaha is 5-3-2 against the Huskies over the last 10 games and has won three of the last four.

The teams split their series at Baxter Arena last January. Omaha won the opener 6-2 on Jan. 9, before St. Cloud responded with a 2-1 victory the following night.

The all-time series at Omaha is tied 12-12-2.

From the Locker Room
At Wednesday’s weekly media availability, Gabinet said the Mavericks made progress against Denver despite coming away without a win.

“We took a step this weekend, and yet you come home with two losses,” Gabinet said. “Ultimately, it’s about finding a way to get a win.”

Gabinet felt Omaha played particularly well Saturday, despite the three-goal margin in the final score.

“Saturday, I thought, was probably our best game of the year,” he said.

He pointed to the team’s competitiveness, blocked shots, and defensive effort as positives, while acknowledging that small mistakes against top opponents can determine the outcome.

“We’ve played four games against top 10 teams, and it’s that one or two plays a game that ultimately dictate the outcome of the game,” Gabinet said.

One of the players who has impressed Gabinet is freshman goaltender Will Lacelle.

Gabinet praised Lacelle’s composure, particularly when facing multiple scoring chances in succession. He said timely saves allow the team to recover from mistakes and regain its footing.

“He’s done that. Very calm in the net, very poised,” Gabinet said.

Pellerin, who recorded assists on both Omaha goals against Denver, said the Mavericks need to spend more time controlling the puck in the offensive zone.

“I think it all starts with playing more with the puck, establishing our forecheck,” Pellerin said.

He emphasized creating second-chance opportunities, getting to the slot, and taking advantage of rebounds.

Pellerin also believes the Mavericks have improved each weekend, even if the results haven’t always reflected that progress.

“From weekend one to weekend four now, I think we took a step in every game and a step in the right direction every weekend,” he said.

The challenge now, according to Pellerin, is finding ways to win close games.

Looking ahead to St. Cloud State, Gabinet acknowledged the challenge presented by the Huskies’ goaltending.

He said Omaha needs to capitalize on its scoring opportunities, particularly by getting shots on net and creating second chances.

“I think we’ve missed the net a lot this year, too,” Gabinet said.

He also emphasized the importance of getting to the high-percentage scoring areas and staying with plays after the initial shot.

As for the team’s health, Gabinet said he expects Brett Hyland to return to the lineup this weekend after missing time with an injury. Aiden Oiring remains questionable.

Both Gabinet and Pellerin are looking forward to returning home.

“We haven’t been home much since the start of the season, so we’re really, really excited,” Pellerin said.

Gabinet encouraged his players to embrace the atmosphere at Baxter Arena rather than feel pressure from it.

“Just get out there and enjoy it and feed off it and play,” he said.

A Historic Weekend for Omaha Hockey
Friday’s game will feature a celebration of Omaha Hockey history as Jake Guentzel becomes the first student-athlete in Omaha Athletics history to have a jersey retired.

Guentzel played three seasons for the Mavericks from 2013-16, helping Omaha reach its first NCAA Frozen Four in 2015. He went on to win a Stanley Cup and earn an Olympic gold medal in 2026.

Guentzel will also be inducted into the Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame alongside former Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Kemp, football player Chris Cooper, and track and field athlete Anastasia Kyvelidou.

Kemp was hired in 1996 to build Omaha’s hockey program from the ground up and served as head coach for its first 12 seasons.

Gabinet played four seasons under Kemp from 2000-04 and has maintained a relationship with him throughout his coaching career.

Asked about Kemp’s influence, Gabinet pointed to his ability to build relationships across the university and community while developing a new hockey program.

“He recruited me to Omaha. I played four years for him here,” Gabinet said, describing how Kemp eventually became a mentor and friend.

Gabinet also recalled Kemp’s attention to detail and his ability to handle the many responsibilities that came with starting a Division I hockey program.

As for Guentzel, Gabinet praised both his accomplishments and his character.

“Just an ambassador and a good person and just all the other things that you wanna see in those high-level athletes that he does so well,” Gabinet said.

Pellerin said the recognition of Guentzel and Kemp is meaningful to the current players as well.

Although he wasn’t around during Kemp”s coaching career, Pellerin said the former head coach remains involved with the program and continues to offer advice to the players.

Interesting Tidbits

• Omaha’s 95.2 percent penalty kill rate (20-for-21) ranks second nationally entering the weekend.

• St. Cloud State goaltender Yan Shostak has made at least 40 saves in two of his last three starts.

• The Huskies have won the second game of each of their last three series after losing the opener.

• Parker Berge leads Omaha in points (7) and assists (5).

• St. Cloud State’s top line of Gavyn Thoreson, Nolan Roed, and Noah Urness has contributed to 10 of the team’s 18 goals this season.

• Omaha has won three of its last four games against St. Cloud State.

• Friday will mark the first jersey retirement in Omaha Athletics history.

• Mike Gabinet played for Mike Kemp from 2000-04 before eventually becoming Omaha's head coach.

For Fans Attending the Games in Person

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CT Friday and Saturday at Baxter Arena.

Friday's game will include Jake Guentzel’s jersey retirement and recognition of the 2026 Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame class.

Fans planning to attend Friday’s game should allow extra time for parking and entering the arena, particularly with the special ceremonies planned.

The west lot outside Baxter Arena, Lot 25, is reserved for donors and single-game parking pass holders. Lots 26 and 27 offer free parking on a first-come, first-served basis, and public parking garages are available in Aksarben Village.

Baxter Arena’s clear bag policy remains in effect, metal detectors are in place at entrances, and concession stands are card-only.

Game Information

When:

Friday, Nov. 6 – 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)

Saturday, Nov. 7 – 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)

Listen:

Both games will be available on the Varsity Network app, with Mike Vaillancourt providing play-by-play and Terry Leahy serving as analyst.

TV/Streaming:

Friday: NCHC.tv ($)

Saturday: NCHC.tv ($)

Live Stats:

Friday: Omaha Live Stats

Saturday: Omaha Live Stats

Tickets:

Friday: Omaha Tickets

Saturday: Omaha Tickets

Season 9, Episode 7: Omaha Hockey Takeaways, UNO Alumni Fan Fest, St. Cloud Series Predictions

On this episode of the Mavpuckcast, Jon and Jason look at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series at Denver with their “3 Takeaways” segment — includes their picks for Player of the Week. They talk about the UNO Alumni Association’s Fan Fest coming on Nov. 6. They conclude the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha Hockey’s National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) series against the St. Cloud State Huskies. 

Watch the latest episode on YouTube 

Up Next
Following the St. Cloud State series, Omaha travels to Oxford, Ohio, for a two-game NCHC series against Miami on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. 

Jake Guentzel Will Be First Omaha Hockey Jersey Retired

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics 

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Jake Guentzel will become the first player in Omaha Athletics history to have his jersey retired. The former Maverick helped Omaha reach its first Frozen Four in 2015 and went on to become a Stanley Cup champion and 2026 Olympic gold medalist.

The jersey retirement ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 6, at Baxter Arena during Omaha’s game against St. Cloud State. Guentzel will also be inducted into the Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame that weekend, along with former Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Kemp, football player Chris Cooper, and track and field athlete Anastasia Kyvelidou.

Guentzel, who wore No. 20 for the Mavericks from 2013-16, played 108 games for Omaha, recording 40 goals and 79 assists for 119 points. He led the team in scoring during his sophomore and junior seasons and became the 14th player in program history to reach 100 career points.

As a sophomore in 2014-15, Guentzel recorded 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists), helping the Mavericks advance to their first NCAA Frozen Four. He scored Omaha’s only goal in the national semifinal against Providence, a 4-1 loss that ended the Mavericks’ season.

Guentzel returned for his junior season in 2015-16 and served as co-team captain. He finished that season with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 35 games, earning second-team All-NCHC honors before leaving Omaha to begin his professional career.

A Family Hockey Connection
Guentzel was born in Omaha while his father, Mike Guentzel, was head coach and general manager of the Omaha Lancers. The family moved to Woodbury, Minnesota when Mike returned to his alma mater the University of Minnesota as an assistant coach. His father, Mike Guentzel, was hired as an assistant coach at Omaha during the 2010-11 season before returning to Minnesota as an assistant from 2011-2018.

Jake’s two older brothers also played college hockey. Ryan played at Notre Dame, while Gabe played at Colorado College.

Before arriving at Omaha, Jake played one season for the Sioux City Musketeers, where he was named the 2012-13 USHL Rookie of the Year after recording 73 points (29 goals, 44 assists). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft, 77th overall, before beginning his college career that fall.

The Omaha connection extends to his wife, Natalie, who played soccer for the Mavericks. Jake returned to complete his undergraduate degree, graduating from Omaha in December 2017.

Remembering the 2015 Frozen Four
Following Omaha’s first Frozen Four appearance in 2015, the Omaha Storm Chasers hosted a “Salute to UNO Hockey” night at Werner Park. The Mavericks were recognized on the field and signed autographs for fans.

I attended the event and wrote about it in a blog post titled “Why’d They Put the Ginger in the Sun?”, which includes photos from the celebration.

From Omaha to the NHL and Olympics
Guentzel made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, 2016, against the New York Rangers. He scored on his first shift and added another goal later in the game.

His rookie season ended with a Stanley Cup championship. Guentzel scored 13 goals and added eight assists during Pittsburgh’s 2017 playoff run, including the game-winning goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against Nashville.

He spent parts of eight seasons with the Penguins before being traded to Carolina in March 2024. After finishing that season with the Hurricanes, he joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he recorded 85 points (37 goals, 48 assists) in 81 games during the 2025-26 season.

Guentzel added an Olympic gold medal to his accomplishments in February 2026, when Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. It was the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. men's hockey team since 1980.

Guentzel played in all six games for the Americans, recording one goal.

First a Bobblehead, Now a Jersey Retirement
Omaha Hockey fans celebrated Guentzel earlier this year with another program first.

On Jan. 9, 2026, the Mavericks gave away 3,000 Jake Guentzel bobbleheads, presented by Vance Thompson Vision, during a game against St. Cloud State. It was the first player bobblehead giveaway in Omaha Hockey history.

I have one of those bobbleheads.

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics

The opponent for Guentzel’s jersey retirement on Nov. 6 is also St. Cloud State.

Guentzel and Kemp Among Hall of Fame Honorees 
Guentzel’s jersey retirement is part of Omaha Athletics’ 2026 Hall of Fame weekend. The four inductees will be recognized during Friday’s hockey game, with the formal induction taking place Saturday, Nov. 7, at the UNO Alumni Association’s Honors Brunch at the Thompson Alumni Center.

Mike Kemp, who was Omaha’s first hockey head coach and led the program from 1997-2009, will be inducted alongside Guentzel.

“It was great to hear that Jake Guentzel is having his jersey retired. With what Jake accomplished as a student-athlete, and now as a professional and Olympian, no one is more deserving of this honor,” Kemp said in the university's announcement.

Current Omaha head coach Mike Gabinet also commented on Guentzel’s place in program history.

“Jake is an important part of the history of Omaha Hockey, and having his jersey retired is a special moment for our program,” Gabinet said.

Guentzel expressed his appreciation for the honor and his years at Omaha.

“Omaha means a lot to me and my family. Some of my best memories are from my time there, both on and off the ice,” Guentzel said. “Having my jersey retired is pretty special, and I’m really grateful for the honor and everyone who was part of those years.”

S8 EP16: Mavs Win One, Things You Missed, NCHC Heats Up, Miami (OH) Series Predictions

S8 EP16: Mavs Win One, Things You Missed, NCHC Heats Up, Miami (OH) Series Predictions

On this episode of the Mavpuckcast, Jon and Jason talk about the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series against St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena (includes their picks for “Player of the Week”). They talk about some “Things You Missed at Baxter Arena” during the series (including Jake Guentzel Bobblehead Night). They present this week’s “Weekly Top 20.” They talk about the current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings. They wrap up the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series versus the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Goggin Ice Arena. Special thanks for your support of the podcast and MavPuck.com. Your support is greatly appreciated!! Special thanks to our Founding Members for the 2025-26 season. Support the MavPuckCast — Become a Member: https://www.mavpuck.com/join Support the MavPuckCast: https://www.mavpuck.com/donate Support Our Sponsors This Season: Thank You to Wahoo Distillery! https://www.wahoodistillery.com Find your next home! Contact Ryan Bowden with Realty ONE Group at (402) 779-1182 Grab a drink and a bite to eat at Wilson & Washburn in Omaha’s Old Market! Learn more at https://www.wilsonandwashburn.com Chapters: 00:00 - St. Cloud Series Recap 28:05 - Players of the Week 33:13 - Things You Missed at Baxter Arena 37:10 - Weekly Top 20 41:26 - NCHC Race Heats Up 45:50 - Miami (OH) Series Preview Follow MavPuck.com online! https://www.mavpuck.com   / mavpuckpage     / mavpuck     / mavpuck     / mavpuckcast  

Current Standings for MavPuck Players of the Week (Season 8, 2025-26):
https://mavpuckblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/mavpuckcast-players-of-week-season-8.html

Series Preview: Omaha vs. St. Cloud State, Jan. 9-10, 2026

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey opens the second half of the 2025-26 season and returns to NCHC play with a home series against (RV) St. Cloud State, as the Huskies visit Baxter Arena for games Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10. 

Omaha enters the weekend 7-13-0 overall and 3-7-0 in NCHC play, while St. Cloud State comes in 10-10-0 overall and 3-7-0 in the league.

The matchup also brings a little extra buzz on Friday night: the first 3,000 fans in the building will receive a Jake Guentzel bobblehead presented by Vance Thompson Vision.

Omaha’s path in the second half
Omaha opens the new year coming off a road series at then-No. 17 Cornell, dropping a pair of games (6-4 and 3-2) in Ithaca. In the opener, the Mavericks erased an early 3-0 deficit with four unanswered goals before Cornell answered late.

Even without the win, there were tangible signs of growth, especially from a freshman group that’s being asked to carry real minutes. Jérémy Loranger’s offense has been one of the brightest sparks lately. The game notes credit him with four goals over his last three games, including a pair that came against (RV) Augustana and then-No. 17 Cornell.

In net, Dawson Cowan continues to make big saves. He’s made 265 saves in 9 games, with a season-high 37 saves at Cornell on Jan. 2.

Scouting the Huskies
St. Cloud State arrives in Omaha with momentum after winning the Cactus Cup, beating Yale 6-2 and host school UMass Lowell 3-2 in Palm Springs.

The Huskies have been powered by one of the most productive top groups in the league. Tyson Gross leads St. Cloud with 27 points and a team-high 16 assists, while Austin Burnevik has scored 13 goals.

Special teams are also a major part of St. Cloud’s identity. The Huskies are converting at 28.9% on the power play (24-83), good for fifth nationally in power play percentage.

One other trend matters a lot in this matchup: St. Cloud has been extremely effective playing from in front. The Huskies are 10-1-0 when scoring first and 0-9-0 when allowing the first goal. 

Series history
This weekend marks the 55th and 56th meetings between the programs, with St. Cloud holding a 30-20-4 edge in the all-time series.

The Huskies have been strong historically in Omaha (11-11-2), and recent meetings have included plenty of swings — including stretches where neither side has found it easy holding home ice advantage.

From the locker room
The series marks the start to the second-half of the season, and for Omaha, that means a return to conference play where the margins only get thinner. Coach Mike Gabinet described last weekend at Cornell as “two essentially one-goal games,” and while the result wasn’t what Omaha wanted, he pointed to the same overall theme that has defined much of the first half: the Mavericks are often right there, but the next play at the next moment has to be cleaner.

When asked what he wants Omaha to be better at six games from now, Gabinet didn’t hesitate: discipline and decision-making. “One is penalties,” he said, and he also emphasized controlling the slot area — both the initial looks and the secondary chances that come from it. He acknowledged how one mistake at the wrong time can swing a one-goal game, especially for a younger group playing a demanding schedule, but he also made it clear the effort and buy-in aren’t the issue for the team: “They’re dialed in… they’re hungry to get better.”

That slot emphasis showed up again from freshman forward Jérémy Loranger. He credited teammates for finding him “in the bumper in the slot” on the power play for “grade A’s (scoring chances),” then added, “we need some slot shots more and more in the coming games.”

Loranger also had a great line when talking about his recent multi-point nights: “I’m never satisfied about just one goal. Why not try to get three?” But he balanced that with the long-view version of development, too — especially when asked what he grades himself on that most fans wouldn’t think about. “Details without the puck,” he said. “If I want to make it (to the NHL), it’s going to be a complete 200-foot game.”

And that’s where this weekend gets interesting, because St. Cloud is the kind of opponent that forces you to live in those details. Gabinet called the Huskies “really structured” and “predictable in how they play,” which is exactly what makes them difficult: if you’re late on a decision, if you’re careless with a puck, if you give them early momentum, they’re built to make you pay.

Injury-wise, Gabinet said goaltender Simon Latkoczy is “questionable” for the weekend, but added the good news is he’s back on the ice and participating in practice.

Additionally, Gabinet acknowledged that sophomore defenseman Joe Gramer left the program mid-season to join the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. He said Gramer was looking for more playing time and that the Mavericks will explore options to potentially fill the roster spot as the semester resumes next week.

Interesting tidbits:

• St. Cloud thrives on the early lead — and struggles when it doesn’t. The Huskies are 10-1-0 when scoring first this season, but 0-9-0 when allowing the opening goal, making the first 10 minutes especially meaningful in this series.

• Omaha’s scoring has been more balanced than the results suggest. Through 20 games, 19 different Mavericks have found the back of the net, with seven different players scoring over the last three games alone.

• St. Cloud’s power play has been feast-or-famine. The Huskies converted at nearly 40% over their first nine games, but that number dropped to 17.5% over their last 11.

• Jérémy Loranger isn’t just scoring — he’s shooting. Over his recent stretch, Loranger has consistently generated chances from the slot and bumper areas, aligning directly with Omaha’s recent emphasis on interior offense.

• The Huskies don’t give games back once they’re in control. St. Cloud is 9-0-0 when leading after one period and 9-1-0 when leading after two.

• This is Omaha’s first home conference series since before Thanksgiving. The Mavericks haven’t played an NCHC game at Baxter Arena since Nov. 22.

Bobblehead Night logistics
Friday night’s opener also features Jake Guentzel Bobblehead Night at Baxter Arena. A total of 3,000 bobbleheads will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with one bobblehead per person. All ages are eligible, and fans do not need to be season ticket holders to receive one — everyone must be physically present and in line. Bobbleheads are scheduled to be distributed at both the Main (West) and North entrances. Fans planning to attend specifically for the giveaway are encouraged to arrive early.

For Fans Attending the Game in Person: 
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).

More info: What to Know Before an Omaha Hockey Game at Baxter Arena

When:
> Friday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)
> Saturday, 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)

Radio:
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. 

On this episode of the Mavpuckcast, Jon and Jason talk about the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent road trip to Cornell (includes their picks for “Player of the Week”). They present this week’s “Weekly Top 20.” They wrap up the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series against St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena.

Next Weekend:

Omaha travels to Oxford, Ohio, for a conference series against the Miami RedHawks on Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17.

Jake Guentzel Bobblehead Night: What Fans Need to Know on Friday, Jan. 9

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics

Friday, Jan. 9 is Jake Guentzel Bobblehead Night at Baxter Arena, celebrating one of the most accomplished players ever connected to Omaha Hockey, and the timing couldn’t be better.

With Jake Guentzel recently named to the U.S. Olympic team, interest in this giveaway is expected to be high. If you’re planning to be there, here’s what you need to know to make the night go smoothly.

Giveaway Details

A total of 3,000 Jake Guentzel bobbleheads will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The giveaway is sponsored by Vance Thompson Vision.

• One bobblehead per person

• All ages are eligible

• No season ticket required (single game attendees can get one)

• Everyone must be physically present and in line to receive a bobblehead

This is not a “one per ticket on the account” situation — each individual fan gets one, while supplies last.

Where to Go

Updated information as of Tuesday 5 p.m.: Bobbleheads will be distributed at both the Main (West) AND North entrances.

The exact distribution location is still being finalized, but organizers are likely moving the giveaway area to the Blue Line Bar. This change is intended to reduce congestion at the top of the stairs and create a safer, smoother entry experience for fans.

Once the location is officially confirmed, it will be communicated in advance so fans know exactly where to line up, said Camden Stockton, senior associate athletic director of external affairs.

A Special Night for Omaha Hockey Fans

Guentzel’s success at the NHL level — and now on the Olympic stage — continues to shine a spotlight on Omaha Hockey. Bobblehead nights are always popular, but this one carries a little extra meaning for fans who followed Jake’s journey from college hockey to international stardom.

If this giveaway is on your must-have list, plan to arrive early, pay attention to the announced location, and enjoy a night that celebrates both the past and present of Omaha Mavericks Hockey.

Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics

NCHC Playoffs: Back to Denver: March 11-13, 2016

It's deja vu all over again as UNO returns to Magness Arena for the NCHC playoffs. For the first time in its short history in the conference (the conference has only been around for three seasons too), the Mavs will be on the road for the playoffs.

And it's "do or die" for the Mavs. Lose this weekend and the season is likely over. Win, and the path to a possible NCAA regional spot remains viable. UNO is currently in 15th place in the Pairwise, and Jim Dahl's "College Hockey Ranked" article outlines why a pair of wins are probably necessary to keep the Mavs season going. Read that here:
http://collegehockeyranked.com/2016/03/10/these-teams-should-really-try-to-win-this-weekend/

This weekend's games are a best-of-three series. Win two, and the Mavs would head to the Frozen Face-off in Minnesota for the first time ever.

The Mavs dropped to #17 in the USCHO poll this week, and dropped out of the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll entirely:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavericks-drop-out-of-one-poll-fall-to-th-in/article_5b736a22-e4ba-11e5-a2d6-2391b1232f5f.html

Headed into the postseason, it's time for awards!

The 2015-16 #NCHCHockey All-Rookie Team: https://t.co/IgEq9R743b
Boeser, Gambrell, Roslovic
Borgen, Schuldt
Weninger pic.twitter.com/yNPLHYVgtV

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) March 8, 2016

Evan Weninger was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team:
http://www.nchchockey.com/news_article/show/622526?referrer_id=878553

Jake was named to the NCHC All-Conference Second team. This is the third year Guentzel has received NCHC honors:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210787015

And Guentzel was the only Mav tapped for possible NCHC awards next week:
He's a finalist for NCHC Forward of the Year:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210792689

Here's the media roundup for this weekend's series

OMavs. com series preview article:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210790700

Here's the series preview from the Omaha World-Herald:
http://www.omaha.com/uno/mavs-hope-to-take-control-of-their-destiny-in-nchc/article_d30e4ffa-8949-5a63-ba47-188113bf5d54.html

Here's the series preview article from the Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_29623886/montgomery-led-pioneers-reload-rather-than-rebuild

OMavs.com story after Friday's loss:
http://www.omavs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=795013&SPID=135111&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31400&ATCLID=210796138


Game Times:
Friday night's game is at 8:37 p.m. Central time.
Saturday night's game is at 8:07 p.m. Central time
Sunday night's game (if necessary), will be at 8:07 p.m. Central time
(Don't forget to change your clocks, though, with Daylight Saving Time!)

TV Coverage:
All games will be on NCHC.tv.

Radio Coverage:
All games will be broadcast on 1180 AM (1180 The Zone 2). Dave Ahlers will provide play-by-play on the radio broadcasts and Terry Leahy will provide color commentary. Coverage begins at 8:07 Central Friday and 7:37 p.m. Central Saturday (and Sunday, if necessary) with the First national Bank Pre-Game Show.

"Why'd They Put the Ginger in the Sun?"

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

This is not going to be an epic blog. I may have given you the wrong impression when my first post was the definitive guide to seating at the new arena, and the most recent one was about the really epic #TacoCannon.

That wasn't my intention when I started this blog. When I gave the link to my first post in the "closed" Mavpuck.com Group on Facebook (yes, you can apply for membership; we share information in that group that we don't share publicly on our Twitter, Facebook page, or the Mavpuck message board forum), this is how I described it:

It's my hope to aggregate information, curate content from other sources (so it's easy to search/locate later on) and share memories from the first 18 years of UNO Hockey history. We want to tell the story of UNO hockey through blog posts, video, audio, pictures, memories, and more! I also want to do more of the "Where Are They Now" features of former players.

And this post really isn't about me (or Jon)... it's about what I saw on Thursday night at the Omaha Storm Chasers game (the "Salute to UNO Hockey") and how it ties into the early days of Maverick hockey.

Jon and I arrived a little later than we wanted to at Werner Park. I had actually left a meeting (with Sheila and Terry Leahy's family about their "Fundraiser for Sheila" efforts) early to try to get there before the game started, and I was under the impression that they were going to have Ryan Massa throw out the first pitch, and Dominic Zombo drop a "ceremonial puck" at home plate AFTER they did autographs. I was wrong.

Posted by Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday, April 23, 2015

Jon and I got into the stadium after Massa threw out the pitch -- pretty much right as Coach Blais dropped the puck (Zombo was recovering from surgery and couldn't make it).

Brad Williams, of Brad Williams Photography, captured that moment:

I hustled over to try and get a picture from behind home plate ... and arrived just as the team was leaving the field.

Here was the Storm Chasers photo of the guys on the field:

Posted by Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday, April 23, 2015

Here were mine:

These are horrible pictures. I didn't even have a chance to zoom in. So you can't see the smiles on their faces as they left the field.

They sat down at a long table and started signing ... first baseballs, then schedule posters, but also t-shirts, hats, and hockey jerseys. The fans were smiling ... and so were the guys.

Posted by Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday, April 23, 2015

And I realized I recognized those smiles.

You see, in the early days of the program, before there were Frozen Four appearances (heck, before there were NCAA Regional appearances) … before there was even a conference affiliation … before the team even had a place to play, the early players were ambassadors to the community.

As one of those pioneering #OldBulls told me when I saw him (on the Road to the Frozen Four, these guys came out of the woodwork to celebrate the milestone of the program they had built with their sweat and tears), they sent the players out on a "goodwill" tour of sorts. They met with business people, sponsors, fans ... almost anyone who would agree to see them.

I remember those early days. There were "Hockey 101s" where various players demonstrated their equipment (goalies were a fan favorite) and Jon and I shared the "booster compliance guidelines" publicly. There were pre-season picnics, a fan get-together before the Maverick Stampede in the bowels of the Civic Auditorium, and pre-season Red/White Scrimmages that were open to donors first (and later the general public). There were "Skate with the Mavs" events held on a weekend afternoon, and everyone from little babies to grandparents were out on the ice with the guys.

As an aside:
Here's my niece Emily at age 3 with one of those Skate with the Mavs events with #OldBull and fan favorites, Jeff Hoggan. This would have probably been during the 1999-2000 season:

Emily Weide and Jeff Hoggan in 1999 or 2000.
Emily is now 18, and Hoggan is 38.

Throughout those events, I remember the smiles. The smiles on the faces of the players as they met their fans were genuine. I met Christian Graham the afternoon of the first-ever game. A client happened to be doing some consulting work for UNO Athletics on athlete nutrition, and we were assessing the need for table tents in the UNO "Training Table" -- basically, a private room in the Milo Bail Student Center where the athletes ate. My client introduced me to him, and while I don't remember what he said exactly, what still sticks with me 18 years later was how genuinely thrilled he was that the community was behind the team. (Remember, the announcement of the new team was made and season tickets sold out in just weeks, even though they had no place to play yet.)

Over all the years since, I have to say that I haven't really seen that smile again. I caught glimpses of it here and there. "Tuesday night." The magical trip to the Joe. The first Regional appearance, in Worchester (pronounced "Wooster," I learned while there). But I hadn't ever seen it again out in the "real world." When the players were wearing street gear, not their jerseys.

I saw it on Thursday night. The guys were wearing street gear -- logoed with "Frozen Four," of course.

But this wasn't just another obligatory post-game autograph session (those have largely disappeared too). This wasn't a First National Bank-sponsored Sunday afternoon event for kids to learn from their hockey heroes (forgive me, I can't remember what the name of this event is, and they didn't have one this past year).

In those events, the smiles are a little forced. Sure, every once in a while you get a genuine kid/player interaction where the smile is real. And sometimes, if you stick around long enough afterwards, you get to see goalie Dayn Belfour joyously skate to "Take Me Home Tonight" in epic ice dancing form (with a special appearance by NHL'er Andrej Sustr):



(It helps if they don't think that anyone is watching ... much less videotaping ...)

But on Thursday, these were real smiles.

Here's what Ryan Massa had to say in the Omaha World-Herald article about the event:

Even Coach Blais acknowledged that this public appearance wasn't a chore for the players:

Those smiles were genuine. The fans needed this chance to say "Thank you for an amazing season" one more time ... and these guys needed to hear it.

Even if that meant an April sunburn for the blondes/redheads. As my younger brother said as we watched the autograph session, "Why'd they put the ginger in the sun?"

Those gingers deserve their moment in the sun. I'm glad they got it.