By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Everything is on the line this weekend.
Omaha returns home to host Miami (Ohio) for the final regular-season series of the year, with playoff positioning, senior legacies, and the team’s postseason fate all coming together this weekend at Baxter Arena.
The Mavericks (11-21-0, 7-15-0 NCHC) enter the series needing results. The math is simple: win, and the season continues. A sweep guarantees a playoff berth. Fall short, and Omaha risks seeing its season end.
Head coach Mike Gabinet isn’t shying away from the stakes.
“What an opportunity,” Gabinet said. “It’s in our hands to do that. It’s an opportunity to work on some of the things we’ve talked about working on all season… that consistency and bringing it there.”
Omaha earned three points last weekend in a split at Arizona State, keeping its postseason hopes alive, but also reinforcing how little margin for error remains.
“We needed two points there in ASU. We got three. Obviously, we wanted six,” Gabinet said. “Now two, obviously, super critical games here coming down the stretch.”
For much of the season, Omaha has played like a team capable of competing with anyone, but hasn’t consistently finished the job. The team’s only sweep all season came in the opening weekend of conference play, when the Mavericks swept the Colorado College Tigers in Colorado Springs on Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
That inconsistency has defined the Mavericks’ position entering the final weekend.
Yet inside the locker room, belief hasn’t wavered.
“We’ve been capable of more than we’ve shown this year,” senior captain Griffin Ludtke said. “Despite everything… we still have control — or a chance at control. And I think that’s something that should be exciting, and not debilitating.”
Gabinet has seen growth in how the team handles that pressure.
“You’re starting to hear the players talk about it,” he said. “‘This is how we need to play to be successful.’ … When you hear the players talking about it, you’re seeing them improve at it. That’s when you know you’re trending in the right direction.”
That ownership, Gabinet believes, is essential at this point in the season.
“They’re all capable of doing it because of the work they put in,” he said. “It’s all to let these guys have a chance to play their best hockey when it matters the most.”
The Final Home Games for Six Seniors
This weekend marks the final games at Baxter Arena for Omaha’s senior class — including Ludtke and goaltender Simon Latkoczy, who have been foundational pieces of the program.
Ludtke, who committed to Omaha as a teenager and has spent eight years connected to the coaching staff, is focused on embracing the moment.
“I’m just excited to play,” Ludtke said. “There’s a lot of anticipation for this weekend, and a great opportunity ahead of us. We’re going to do everything we can to be on the right side of it.”
For Gabinet, the goal is simple.
“Hopefully, these guys just get to enjoy it and be excited about it,” he said. “Let’s get after it. Let’s play some good hockey. Let’s compete out there. Let’s do everything we can to give ourselves a chance of success.”
Freshmen Continue Driving Omaha’s Offense
Omaha’s offense has been fueled by its young players. None has been more impactful than freshman forward Marcus Nguyen.
Nguyen leads the Mavericks with 10 goals, including a two-goal performance in last weekend’s win at Arizona State. His development has been steady throughout the season.
“You’re seeing that growth,” Gabinet said. “You can see he’s got the ability to finish on the net and score big goals for us… He just keeps getting better.”
Fellow freshman Jérémy Loranger has also surged recently, recording six points over his last five games, while Trevor Wong continues to lead the team with 19 points.
Overall, Omaha’s scoring has come from throughout the lineup, with nine players scoring five or more goals this season.
Miami Presents Dangerous Offensive Threat
Miami enters the weekend at 17-13-2 (8-12-2 NCHC), fighting for its own playoff positioning and capable of finishing anywhere from fifth to ninth in the conference standings.
The RedHawks are led by freshman forward Kocha Delic (23 points) and David Deputy, whose 15 goals rank among the top scorers in the NCHC.
Miami’s turnaround this season has been dramatic — improving from just three wins last year to 17 this season, one of the biggest single-season improvements in Division I hockey.
They also arrive with confidence after sweeping Omaha earlier this season in Oxford, outscoring the Mavericks 9-2.
Gabinet knows the challenge Miami presents.
“You have to be conscious of who you’re out against and what that play is calling for you to do,” he said. “You have to be conscious of this weekend when you’re facing firepower.”
Last weekend’s split at Arizona State reinforced both Omaha’s potential as well as its need for sustained execution.
Gabinet was encouraged by stretches of strong play, but emphasized the importance of avoiding self-inflicted mistakes.
“You’ve got to do some things that are just going to give you that chance of success,” he said. “If you start giving pucks to teams that are really skilled, it can go the opposite way.”
For Ludtke, the formula is clear — and it hasn’t changed.
“We’ve treated every series like a playoff series,” he said. “We won practice today. We’ll win practice tomorrow. And then Friday will roll around.”
After months of chasing consistency, battling adversity, and fighting to stay alive in the standings, Omaha now finds itself exactly where every team wants to be: in control of its own fate.
With two games remaining at Baxter Arena, Omaha has the chance to write an ending that extends its season — and sends its seniors out on their terms.
“This is what you dream about,” Ludtke said. “It’ll be a special weekend.”
Highlights:
Friday night is Omaha’s annual Leap-For-A-Cure game in partnership with Methodist, benefiting Leap-For-A-Cure through in-game donations and an online jersey auction.
Saturday is a White Out at Baxter Arena for the regular-season finale.
Omaha is led offensively by Trevor Wong (19 points), with Luke Woodworth and Maxime Pellerin next at 18 points apiece; Nguyen leads the team with 10 goals.
Miami is led by Kocha Delic (23 points) and David Deputy (15 goals), with goaltender Matteo Drobac owning a 2.64 GAA and .913 save percentage this season.
For Fans Attending the Game in Person: Remember that Pacific Street is closed from 66th to 69th Street in both directions due to the sinkhole, so take an alternate route to Baxter Arena if that’s your usual route! Northbound and southbound traffic are still permitted on 67th Street.
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 University of Nebraska - Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series against Arizona State at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ (includes their picks for “Player of the Week”). They talk about some “Things You Missed in Tempe,” including a nice “Mavs on the Move” event the UNO Alumni Association put on before the Saturday game and some other cool things. They wrap up the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s final hockey series of the regular season versus the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Baxter Arena.
Bonus Episode: Interview with Former Omaha Hockey Defenseman Dominic Vidoli
On this special episode of the Mavpuckcast, Bridget interviews former University of Nebraska-Omaha Maverick Hockey defenseman Dominic Vidoli. This wide-ranging discussion looks at Vidoli's hockey origins, what led him to play at Boston University and Ohio State before joining the Mavs, his favorite memories playing hockey in Omaha, what life is like playing as a professional hockey player in France, and what his goals are for the future.
Next Weekend:This is it: the regular-season finale. Next up is postseason play (if Omaha qualifies): the NCHC Frozen Faceoff playoff games will stream on NCHC.tv. Quarterfinal games are a best-of-three series at the higher seed’s rink, starting March 5.
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.
