Mavs Rally For ‘Resilient’ Win Over No. 12 Arizona State

OMAHA, Neb. – Every game is important and points are always at a premium in the NCHC, especially late in the season. However, of any night the Mavericks needed a win, Saturday has to be near the top of the list.

After North Dakota’s overtime win in Kalamazoo and Denver’s loss to St. Cloud State, the Mavericks scored a trio of third-period goals, en route to a 4-2 win over No. 12 Arizona State.

The win vaults Omaha back up to third in the NCHC standings with a massive series looming next weekend in Grand Forks – which will conclude the regular season.

“What a night,” head coach Mike Gabinet said after the win. “Resilient from the group being able to come back from being down against a high-powered offensive team.”

Saturday’s win came seven hours after Omaha’s men’s basketball team clinched the Summit League regular-season crown inside Baxter Arena, and the Mavs wanted to follow it up with a win of their own.

They gave their fans something to cheer about from the get-go too, as Sam Stange scored 59 seconds into the contest. Stange, who was one of eight players honored before the game as a part of Omaha’s Senior Night, has 11 points (3-8-11) over his past eight home games.

Yet that early lead later became a 2-1 deficit, and it remained that way heading to the third period. Ryan Kirwan scored both ASU goals on the power play, his first coming with 4:26 left in the first and his second 5:22 into the second.

Kirwan scored three times in the series and had the game-winner on Friday, but the Mavs were able to answer in the finale.

“You’ve got to stick with it and keep investing,” Gabinet said of the third-period response. “I always think the game’s fair and if you do the work long enough, it’s gonna reward you. And we did exactly that.”

“That’s a huge win for us, especially being down 2-1 going into the third,” added senior forward Zach Urdahl. “The resilience of the group really showed and I just love the way our guys battled and got it done.”

Jimmy Glynn tied the game 7:10 into the third, taking advantage of a Gibson Homer mistake behind the net. Marcus Broberg chased a puck into the corner and fed Urdahl, who had his shot blocked. The puck found its way to Glynn, who swept home his eighth of the season.

Griffin Ludtke tied the game 58 seconds later as the junior defenseman joined the rush, slamming the rebound home of Nolan Krenzen’s shot from the far faceoff circle. Ludtke’s goal came at 4-on-4 and was the second game-winner of his Maverick career.

Brady Risk tacked on an empty-netter with seven seconds left, sending the sellout crowd – which was announced at 7,802 – into a frenzy.

It’s just the third time (3-11-0) Omaha has won a game when trailing after 40 minutes this season. Omaha is also one of just two teams to defeat Arizona State in regulation in NCHC action – Colorado College being the other. Both teams did so twice.

“Great for Jimmy Glynn to get that (game-tying goal) and then obviously (Nolan Krenzen) makes the nice pass off the pad and (Griffin Ludtke) puts it home,” Gabinet said. “Just unbelievable energy in the building and what a night for the seniors. Couldn’t ask for a better result.”

While Omaha lit the lamp four times in the offensive zone, Kevin Reidler did his part at the other end. The freshman received his fifth career start, doing so against the team he made his NCAA debut against back on Nov. 16.

Reidler earned his fourth career win with 40 saves, 25 of which came over the final two periods.

“He earned it,” Gabinet said. “I think all season long he’s been taking little steps in the right direction to keep improving his play and doing the work. He’s got an unbelievable attitude and is a very tremendous person as an individual, and just keeps showing up. I thought he made some real key saves tonight too and looked calm in net, and he had a tremendous game. He’s a big reason for the win.”

However, arguably Omaha’s biggest save came via a challenge.

ASU pulled Homer with 2:18 left and Lukas Sillinger scored with 1:31 left, batting the puck past Reidler. Omaha challenged the play for a high stick, which ultimately proved correct.

Gabinet had already used his timeout and had the challenge been unsuccessful, Omaha would’ve been assessed a minor penalty. Yet the decision took the tying goal off the board.

“I was a little nervous because I had already used our timeout,” Gabinet said. “But good job by the guys on the jumbotron to give us a couple looks at it and the guys upstairs, and I got to give (Chase) LaPinta credit, because I think he was the one that saw it first. Tremendous job by all those guys to get that goal taken off the board.”

Omaha finishes the regular season with a 10-6-0 record on home ice, including a 9-3-0 mark in NCHC play. The Mavs won 10 of their final 12 home games and they’re hoping to return to Baxter Arena in two weeks to open the playoffs.

It’s no secret what’s at stake next weekend at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Omaha can clinch home ice with a regulation win or any combination of two points.

Omaha currently has more regulation NCHC wins (12) than both Denver (11) and UND (10), which is the first tiebreaker. Omaha has 41 points while DU and UND are tied for fourth with 39. DU earning two points or less against Colorado College would also clinch a top four spot.

“We know what’s on the line, we know the importance of it and it’s against North Dakota in their rink,” Urdahl said. “I’d expect everyone to bring everything they’ve got for that series and we’re looking forward to it.”

Final line

Omaha 1-0-3 – 4
Arizona State 1-1-0 – 2

First Period
Sam Stange (Cam Mitchell, Jacob Guevin), 0:59
Ryan Kirwan (Artem Shlaine, Noah Beck), 15:34, PP

Second Period
Ryan Kirwan (Noah Beck, Lukas Sillinger), 5:22, PP

Third Period
Jimmy Glynn (Zach Urdahl, Marcus Broberg), 7:10
Griffin Ludtke (Nolan Krenzen, Cam Mitchell), 8:02
Brady Risk (unassisted), 19:53, ENG

SOG
Omaha 7-9-17 – 44
Arizona State 15-15-12 – 42

Power Play
Omaha – 0/5
Arizona State – 2/4

Saves
Kevin Reidler, Omaha: 14-14-12 – 40
Gibson Homer, Arizona State: 6-9-14 – 29

Attendance
7,802