No. 16 Omaha looks to put last weekend in the rearview mirror and retain the Spirit of the Mavericks Trophy
Omaha will look to get back in the win column this weekend as the Mavericks face their first true road test of the season at No. 18 Minnesota State.
It’s the first time the Mavs have battled their purple namesake since 2015, as the two schools used to battle yearly for the Spirit of the Mavericks Trophy.
Here’s what you need to know before the puck drops in Mankato.
No. 16 Omaha (2-2-0) at No. 18 Minnesota State (3-3-0)
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25, 7:07 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26, 6:07 p.m.
*Both games played at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center*
Omaha
Conference: NCHC
Head coach: Mike Gabinet (8th season, 119-116-18)
Leading scorer: Zach Urdahl, Sr., F (3-0-0)
Between the pipes: Simon Latkoczy, Jr. (2-2-0, .934 save percentage, 2.23 GAA)
Power Play: 1/14 (7.1%)
Penalty Kill: 11/13 (84.6%)
Minnesota State
Conference: CCHA
Head coach: Luke Strand (2nd season)
Leading scorer: Rhett Pitlick, Sr., F (2-4-6)
Between the pipes: Alex Tracy, Jr. (3-3-0, .935 save percentage, 1.52 GAA)
Power Play: 1/15 (6.7%)
Penalty Kill: 11/14 (78.6%)
All-time series: Minnesota State leads, 18-16-5
Last matchup: Oct. 10, 2015 – Omaha 2-0 win at MSU
Last time out
Omaha was swept by Augustana, dropping from No. 12 to 16 in the USCHO poll. The Mavericks carried a 1-0 lead into the third period on Friday but allowed a pair of late goals, including a short-handed tally, and suffered a 2-1 home-opening loss.
Augustana completed the sweep on Saturday with a 4-0 win, despite the Mavericks firing 33 shots at goaltender Josh Kotai. Omaha went 0-for-5 on the power penalty and the Mavericks were handed eight penalties in Game 2.
“Obviously some good things (last weekend), but losses are losses. They’re hard to take and don’t make you feel good,” head coach Mike Gabinet said Wednesday afternoon. “So you kind of digest that a little bit and then on Monday, you’ve got to look at a game plan and come ready to work.
“That’s exactly what we did. Two really, really good practices on Monday and Tuesday, and followed that up with some special teams work (Wednesday). But really proud of the group to keep that focus, keep that process mindset of sticking with it and doing the work necessary to keep improving.”
Minnesota State rides the momentum of a win over No. 5 North Dakota into this weekend and the Mavericks arguably should’ve swept UND. MSU had a late second-period goal negated by a contact to the head major and allowed three third-period goals in Game 1, including two on the ensuing UND power play.
However, MSU bounced back on Saturday and rode 27 blocked shots and Alex Tracy’s 34-save shutout to a 3-0 victory. Josh Groll scored three goals in the series and was named the CCHA Forward of the Week.
Opponent Watch
Minnesota State’s resume includes an impressive win at No. 7 Michigan and the above-mentioned win last Saturday.
The Mavericks – who split their other series against Merrimack – were picked fourth in the CCHA’s preseason poll and although they opened the season unranked, MSU received 12 votes in USCHO’s first poll.
“They beat Michigan, they beat North Dakota, and they almost beat North Dakota twice,” Gabinet said. “I think there’s enough just in their results of preparation that you know you’re walking into a tough environment. So, you know they’re a good team. They play very fast, and they skate extremely well. It’s going to be a tough competition.”
MSU finished last season with a 18-15-4 record, which was Luke Strand’s first behind the bench, and advanced to the CCHA Semifinals.
Strand’s roster is the seventh oldest in the NCAA (average age of 22.7) and features just four freshmen, along with five portal additions – highlighted by Rhett Pitlick.
The roster also features a former Omaha forward in senior Kaden Bohlsen, who played 48 games over his three seasons in Omaha (2020-2023). However, Bohlsen missed MSU’s last three games with an injury.
“There’s so many ups and downs throughout a season and we’re playing our third team that’s ranked this season,” Gabinet said. “It’s not going to get any easier, but again, that’s what you have got to deal with. You’ve got to just find ways to just keep moving forward and (focus on) what’s right in front of you.”
Rivalry Rekindled
The Mavericks first squared off on Feb. 13, 1998 – a 7-4 win for Omaha.
Although their last regular-season matchup came nine years ago, the teams have battled twice in recent years in exhibition contests – Oct. 1, 2022 in Omaha and Oct. 7, 2023 in Mankato. Omaha won both games, 7-2 and 1-0 respectively and currently possesses the trophy. However, those wins won’t count in the record book.
Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 18-16-5, and is 10-8-2 on home ice. Omaha has won three of the last four games in Mankato and they’ve split the last 10 matchups.
Mankato and Omaha are separated by roughly 300 miles, making the purple Mavs Omaha’s second-closest opponent – only behind Augustana (190 miles). The series will continue next season too, as MSU will travel to Omaha next fall.
The Spirit of the Mavericks trophy will be presented after Saturday’s game. If the series ends in a split, the winner will be determined by goal differential. Should that number be tied as well, Omaha would retain the trophy.
Final Verdict
Number to know: Omaha is averaging just 1.5 goals through its first four games. Although it’s a small sample size, it’s tied with Lake Superior State for 52nd in the NCAA and only five teams have a lower total – AIC, Long Island, Alaska, Merrimack and New Hampshire.
The key: Can Omaha improve its special teams? Rome wasn’t built in a day but the Mavericks need to show progress and especially get their power play going. It’s been an emphasis this week and could very well be the difference-maker in the series.
Players to watch: Tanner Ludtke, F (Omaha) / Alex Tracy, G (Minnesota State)
Series prediction: Split
