On paper, UND is a better team in all regards. Omaha has had success in Grand Forks and tends to do better on the road than at home. They have been playing better of late and I think they can find a way to steal a game. But UND will not go quietly and they have the fire power to overwhelm the Mavericks.
Jon’s Pick: UND in 2
North Dakota has outscored their opponents in NCHC play 96-58 this season. By the same token, Omaha has been outscored by NCHC opponents 86-57. If these numbers hold, and UND freshmen goalie Jan Špunar continues his sub-2.0 GAA average, it will be a tough weekend for the Mavericks.
#2 Denver vs. Miami
Jason’s Pick: DU in 2
Denver wants a #1 seed and will need a strong showing against the RedHawks to begin a climb in the national rankings. Even then it may not be enough. DU is a fast team with a lot of skill. If they get solid goaltending they are a team to fear.
Jon’s Pick: DU in 2
Miami has only won 2 out of their last 8 games. The month of February has not been kind to the RedHawks. The RedHawks have had a good run this season, going 18-14-2 overall and winning 9 games in NCHC play after having not tallied a single win in conference play in the 2024-25 campaign. But Denver has one of the top D-corps in the NCHC. DU goaltender Johnny Hicks has a 1.14 goals against average and .958 save percentage.
#3 Western Michigan vs. Colorado College
Jason’s Pick: Western in 2
Western Michigan is ready to defend their title. But they are likely to be placed in a tough bracket. Winning the NCHC might be their only ticket to a good draw. But CC has a goaltender who is known for stealing games and is playing his final collegiate hockey games. This is certainly an upset watch.
Jon’s Pick: Western in 2
Western Michigan has too much firepower on the roster. They have multiple lines that will come at you in waves. Breakout performer William Whitelaw could have a big weekend against the Tigers. I don't think Kaidan Mbereko will be enough in net for CC to stop the onslaught at Lawson.
#4 Minnesota Duluth vs. St Cloud State
Jason’s Pick: SCSU in 3
Duluth is trending down the second half of the season. They go the way the Plante family goes. If they catch fire it could be a bloodbath for Duluth. SCSU has surprised many and look to keep the run going. Expect a defensive battle, could be three 2-1 games.
Jon’s Pick: UMD in 2
Observers typically look at the 4-5 matchup as the “upset special” in the NCHC playoffs. And while that is a possibility between these in-state rivals, I think the effectiveness of UMD's top line featuring Hobey Baker nominees (and brothers) Zam Plante and Max Plante will likely decide this series. If the games are tight, sophomore Slovakian goaltender Adam Gajan (2.27 GAA, .905 SV%) could prove to be the difference for UMD in net.
Mavericks Split with Miami, Clinch NCHC Playoff Berth
The final weekend of the regular season delivered exactly what the Mavericks needed.
Omaha split its two-game series with Miami (Ohio) at Baxter Arena, winning Friday night 5-3 before falling 4-2 on Saturday. Combined with Arizona State’s loss to Denver, the Mavericks secured the final NCHC playoff spot and finished the regular season eighth in the conference standings.
Omaha now turns its attention to the NCHC quarterfinals, where the Mavericks will travel to face regular-season champion North Dakota in a best-of-three series.
Friday: Mavericks Surge in Third Period to Stay Alive Facing a must-win situation, Omaha delivered one of its most complete efforts of the season Friday night.
The Mavericks controlled much of the play and outshot Miami 38-24, including a dominant 17-4 advantage in the second period.
Omaha opened the scoring late in the first period when Jacob Slipec carried the puck through the neutral zone and found Cam Mitchell alone in front. Mitchell beat Miami goaltender Matteo Drobac with 1:44 remaining in the period for his second goal of the season.
The Mavericks extended the lead early in the second period on the power play. Jeremy Loranger fired a shot from the point that Tyler Rollwagen redirected past Drobac at 6:15, giving Omaha a 2-0 advantage.
Miami answered late in the period with a power-play goal from Matteo Giampa to cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the third.
The RedHawks tied the game just 1:43 into the third period when Giampa scored his second goal of the night.
But Omaha quickly regained control.
Less than three minutes later, Brett Hyland restored the Mavericks’ lead when he finished a play set up by Samuel Huo and Jacob Guevin. Just over three minutes after that, Guevin ripped a power-play goal from the faceoff circle to push the lead to 4-2.
Miami made things interesting late when Casper Nassen scored with 37.5 seconds remaining after the RedHawks pulled their goalie.
Any suspense ended moments later.
Slipec sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with eight seconds remaining.
Simon Latkoczy finished with 21 saves in the win.
Saturday: Game Ends in Loss, but Postseason Secured
Saturday’s regular-season finale was far more chaotic.
The teams combined for 96 penalty minutes in a chippy game that included a large scrum late in the second period.
Miami opened the scoring six minutes into the game on a power-play goal from Shaun McEwen.
Omaha answered midway through the first period when Marcus Nguyen scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season on a play started by Samuel Huo.
The RedHawks responded just 47 seconds later, as Matteo Giampa beat Latkoczy to restore Miami’s lead.
The Mavericks pulled even again in the second period when Myles Hilman drove along the boards and slipped a shot past Drobac for his fifth goal of the season.
The game remained tied until late in the second period when Ilia Morozov scored with 1:39 remaining to give Miami a 3-2 lead.
Omaha pushed for the equalizer late in the third period and pulled Latkoczy for the extra attacker, but McEwen scored from his own end of the ice with 1:47 remaining to seal the 4-2 Miami victory.
The Big Picture: Mavericks Still Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Saturday’s loss, Omaha still got the result it needed.
Arizona State fell to Denver later in the evening, allowing the Mavericks to hold onto eighth place in the NCHC standings with 24 points.
That result officially sent Omaha to the conference playoffs.
The Mavericks will now travel to Grand Forks for a best-of-three quarterfinal series against North Dakota as postseason play begins next 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).
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.
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.
S8, Ep17: Swept (Ugh!), The NCHC Race, Colorado College Series Preview
On this episode of the Mavpuckcast, Jon and Jason talk about the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent series at Miami (OH) (includes their picks for “Player of the Week”). They present this week’s “Weekly Top 20.” They talk about the current National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) race, and where things stand for the Mavs. They wrap up the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series versus the Colorado College Tigers at Baxter Arena.
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Chapters:
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29:30 - The NCHC Race
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Omaha Hockey headed east for a two-game NCHC series at Goggin Ice Center and ran into a Miami University (Ohio) team that capitalized on momentum swings and special teams, as the RedHawks swept the weekend with a 3-0 win Friday and a 6-2 decision Saturday.
Friday: Miami Breaks Through Late in 3-0 Shutout Friday night was scoreless for 40 minutes as Omaha leaned on goaltender Simon Latkoczy in his return from injury. Making his first appearance since Dec. 12, Latkoczy looked sharp early, turning aside Miami chances and keeping the Mavericks within reach through two periods.
Omaha controlled possession stretches in the opening frame and finished the night with a 40-34 shot advantage overall, but struggled to convert pressure into sustained scoring chances. After killing off two Miami power plays early in the second period, the Mavericks generated a late push before intermission, with Myles Hilman producing one of Omaha’s best looks in the final minutes of the period.
Miami finally broke through just 57 seconds into the third period while the teams were skating 4-on-4 after late second period coincidental minor penalties, scoring on a rebound chance to take a 1-0 lead. The RedHawks added an insurance goal midway through the period following an Omaha turnover and sealed the game with an empty-netter in the final two minutes.
Latkoczy finished with 22 saves in his return, while Omaha was shut out for the first time this season.
Saturday: Early Hole, Late Push Falls Short in 6-2 Loss Saturday’s rematch followed a similar script, but the early margin proved too much to overcome.
Miami struck twice in a 90-second span early in the first period, then added a power-play goal late in the frame to carry a 3-0 lead into intermission. Omaha was limited to just three shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes, while freshman goaltender Dawson Cowan faced steady pressure from the outset.
The RedHawks extended the lead to 4-0 midway through the second period before Omaha finally broke through. Myles Hilman helped spark the response, setting up Sean Tschigerl at the net front to put the Mavericks on the board.
Omaha carried that momentum into the third period when Hilman scored less than two minutes in, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Any comeback hopes were short-lived, however, as Miami answered just 18 seconds later to restore a three-goal cushion.
Miami added another goal later in the third to close out the series. Cowan finished with 34 saves as the RedHawks held a 40-21 advantage in shots on goal.
Series Notes
Friday’s loss marked the first time Omaha was shut out this season and snapped goaltender Simon Latkoczy’s perfect record against Miami (Ohio), as he entered the night 7-0-0 all-time versus the RedHawks.
Omaha allowed five goals across the opening 27 minutes of the series before scoring its first goal late in Saturday’s second period.
The Mavericks scored first in only one of the six periods played in Oxford and did not score a power-play goal during the series.
Myles Hilman factored into both of Omaha’s goals Saturday, recording a goal and an assist after being held off the scoresheet Friday.
Miami won its first NCHC series of the season with the sweep, improving its conference record to 5-7-2.
Looking Ahead The Mavericks return home next weekend to face Colorado College at Baxter Arena. Omaha swept the Tigers in Colorado earlier this season and will look to regroup as conference play continues.
After finally returning home to Baxter Arena last weekend, Omaha Hockey hits the road again, traveling to Oxford, Ohio, for a two-game National Collegiate Hockey Conference series against (RV) Miami (Ohio) at Goggin Ice Center. The Mavericks and RedHawks are separated by just two points in the NCHC standings, making this weekend another opportunity for Omaha to turn close games into tangible results.
Omaha enters the series at 8-14-0 overall and 4-8-0 in league play, coming off a split with (RV) St. Cloud State. Friday night saw the Mavericks erase an early two-goal deficit and roll to a 6-2 win, while Saturday ended in a 2-1 loss despite stretches of strong play. Miami (12-8-2, 3-7-2 NCHC) also split last weekend, earning a 2-1 overtime win at Arizona State before falling 1-0 the following night.
For Omaha, the theme continues to be progress paired with frustration — a team that feels close, but not yet consistently rewarded.
“We know we’re right there,” senior forward Sam Huo said. “Those tough games, I know those are really good learning opportunities for our group, just ’cause there’s so many new guys here.”
One of the more noticeable developments in recent weeks has been Omaha’s forward chemistry, particularly Huo alongside Trevor Wong and Jérémy Loranger. Huo scored in both games against St. Cloud State and has been involved in key moments offensively.
“Playing with Trevor and ‘Junior,’ Jérémy, there — we had some good chemistry that built off from Cornell,” Huo said. “I think just trying to keep building off that and staying familiar with those guys and building that chemistry.”
Omaha has scored four or more goals in four of its last six games, producing 19 goals during that stretch. While the offense has shown flashes, the Mavericks continue to emphasize starts, an area Huo acknowledged needs improvement.
“I think it’s really good for our group to be able to come back from those situations,” Huo said, referencing early deficits. “But I think we can put ourselves in a better spot… right from the start, just on top of them playing Maverick hockey.”
Miami Presents a Different Look Miami enters the weekend receiving votes in the USCHO.com poll and brings a forward group capable of scoring, led by (the injured) Matteo Giampa (9-10-19), Kocha Delic (7-11-18), and Maximilion Helgeson (9-5-14). In net, Matteo Drobac was named NCHC Goaltender of the Week after stopping 62 of 64 shots at Arizona State.
Head coach Mike Gabinet noted the challenge Miami presents, particularly up front.
“Their forward group’s really impressive to watch,” Gabinet said. “You can tell they can put the puck in the net. A couple of their lines are very big, very physical, they like to get to the net hard.”
Gabinet also pointed to puck management as a key area for Omaha as it looks to convert close games into wins.
“A lot of teams’ offense is coming off of our turnovers,” Gabinet said. “You gotta clean that up to be successful consistently.”
Despite the record, Gabinet emphasized that the internal feel of the team does not mirror the standings.
“The locker room doesn’t really feel like our record,” Gabinet said. “When you’re in so many tight games and you’re one mistake away… you know you’re one good play away from coming out of the right end of that.”
That belief is echoed by Huo, who said confidence remains high even after narrow losses.
“We all know in there what we’re capable of,” Huo said. “We compete so hard against each other every day in practice… I think it just goes with the belief in our group.”
Goaltender Simon Latkoczy continues to progress as he works his way back
“Simon’s back skating here, which is great,” Gabinet said. “We’re definitely seeing him start to increase his workload here, and he’s looking better and better every day.”
Interesting Tidbits
Omaha and Miami most recently met in Oxford during the 2024-25 season, when the Mavericks swept the RedHawks with 3-1 and 4-1 wins.
Miami has won five of its six one-goal games this season and is unbeaten in overtime at 4-0-2.
Omaha has scored first in four of its last six games but has also erased multiple early deficits during that stretch.
Miami’s penalty kill has not allowed a power-play goal in its last four games.
When: > Friday, 6 p.m. CT at Goggin Ice Center (Oxford, OH) > Saturday, 5 p.m. CT at Goggin Ice Center (Oxford, OH)
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.
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.
Next Weekend:
Omaha returns home to Baxter Arena next weekend to host Colorado College, Jan. 23-24, on Kemp Ice. Both games will stream on NCHC.tv with radio coverage on 1290 KOIL and the Varsity Network.
At a Blue Line Club “Dinner with the Mavs” last fall, Coach Gabinet teased that Omaha might be one of the teams participating in a future “Friendship Four,” an annual tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The rumor became reality today when Omaha Hockey was announced as a participant in the 2028 Friendship Four tournament. The Mavericks will compete outside of the U.S. for the first time in program history.
Omaha will join Dartmouth, Maine and Notre Dame, with dates and matchups to be determined.
The games will take place at SSE Arena in Belfast. The Mavericks will be the fourth National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) member to participate in the event.
“We are proud for Omaha Hockey to be part of the 2028 Friendship Four, a tremendous opportunity that reflects the nationally prominent program we have built,” said Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell. “This tournament provides us with another opportunity to provide a unique holistic development experience for our student-athletes on an international stage. I am thankful to Mike Kemp for his hard work on this initiative which further solidifies UNO's standing as an institution with a worldwide platform through the power of sport.”
Omaha Hockey head coach Mike Gabinet said he has never been to Northern Ireland, but relishes the invitation.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our program and a chance to continue to grow the brand of Omaha Hockey on an international stage,” said head coach Mike Gabinet. “The Friendship Four is one of the premier events in college hockey and being part of it highlights the importance and relevance of our program nationally and abroad. It’s a moment our players, fans and staff will be proud of as we represent UNO in Belfast.”
Organized by the Odyssey Trust since its inception, the Friendship Four celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025 and is the only NCAA Division I ice hockey competition to take place outside of North America. The tournament has become a flagship event in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar, bringing world class collegiate hockey to Belfast while promoting education, cultural exchange and community engagement.
“The Friendship Four began as an ambitious idea and has grown into an event that embodies the values of friendship, learning and international collaboration,” said Martin McDowell, chair of the Odyssey Trust. “We are incredibly proud of the impact it has made in Belfast and beyond over the past decade, from building relationships with U.S. institutions to providing local communities with access to top-level sport. Announcing the 2026, 2027 and 2028 teams as we celebrate 10 years this year is the perfect way to look ahead with excitement and confidence.”
Representatives of the Odyssey Trust presented to NCHC teams at one of the conference's annual meetings in Florida. Omaha will be the fourth NCHC team to appear in the tournament in four years. Miami (OH) will participate this year (2025), University of Minnesota Duluth in 2026, and the University of North Dakota in 2027.
The announcement took place in Boston, celebrating the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston, signed a decade ago. The agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural exchanges and educational linkages between the two cities, as well as to increase awareness of Belfast and Boston being growth cities in the connected health and life sciences, creative industries, tourism, financial services and knowledge economy sectors.
