After earning a split in the desert last weekend, the Mavericks return home in search of their second conference win and their first home win of the season.
Here’s what you need to know before the puck drops between Omaha and Miami.
Omaha (3-7-0, 1-3-0) vs. Miami (3-9-2, 0-4-0)
Game 1: Friday, Nov. 22, 7:07 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, Nov. 23, 7:07 p.m.
*Both games played at Baxter Arena*
Omaha
Conference: NCHC
Head coach: Mike Gabinet (8th season, 120-121-18)
Leading scorer: Zach Urdahl, Sr., F (5-2-7)
Between the pipes: Simon Latkoczy, Jr. (3-6-0, .933 save percentage, 2.35 GAA)
Power Play: 5/33 (15.2%)
Penalty Kill: 24/28 (85.7%)
Miami
Conference: NCHC
Head coach: Anthony Noreen (1st season, 3-9-2)
Leading scorer: Matt Choupani, F, Sr. (5-6-11)
Between the pipes: Bruno Bruveris, So. (2-6-1, .879 save percentage, 3.53 GAA)
Power Play: 11/55 (20%)
Penalty Kill: 44/48 (91.6%)
All-time series: Miami leads, 29-27-7
Last matchup: March. 2, 2024 – Omaha 2-1 win at Miami
Last time out
Omaha split its series at Arizona State last weekend as the Mavericks nabbed their first conference win and snapped a six-game losing streak on Friday.
Omaha received goals from four different skaters – Chase LaPinta, Charlie Lurie, Sam Stange and Zach Urdahl – and 41 saves from Simon Latkoczy as the Mavs skated to a 4-2 victory. LaPinta and Lurie’s goals were the first of their careers while Stange’s goal came with 3:11 left in regulation and served as the game-winner. It was also the third time this season that Latkoczy has made 40 or more saves.
Zach Urdahl missed last Saturday’s game with an injury and is one of several Mavs that could potentially be out this weekend. Urdahl was one of five Omaha forwards to miss time at Arizona State along with Tanner Ludtke (season), Garrett Pinoniemi, Myles Hilman and Liam Watkins. Watkins did make his season debut on Saturday, however.
The Mavs rolled that momentum over into Saturday and put up a fight – cutting the lead to one with 7:38 left – but ultimately fell one goal short, suffering a 3-2 loss. Stange lit the lamp for a second consecutive night and Marcus Broberg scored his first career goal, while Kevin Reidler also made 41 saves in his NCAA debut – 28 of which came over the final two periods.
Now the Mavericks – who remain plagued by injuries up front – will try to carry the momentum over and earn their first home win.
“Nice to see the guys get rewarded with a win,” Gabinet said Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve been close and obviously battled some adversity, so just nice to get that win and take a bit of a sigh of relief. It lets the guys get a little bit more confident in themselves and what they’re doing, and we’ll try to carry that over to this weekend.”
As for this week’s opponent, the RedHawks ride a six-game losing streak of their own into Baxter Arena. Miami was swept at home by Minnesota Duluth last weekend, 7-2 and 5-0, after a pair of heart-breaking losses at No. 12 St. Cloud State to open NCHC play.
Miami took the Huskies to overtime in Game 1 of that series and also forced overtime the previous week against RPI, ultimately falling 3-2 (OT) and 2-1 in that series. Miami’s last win came on Oct. 26 against Lindenwood.
Opponent Watch
Although Omaha trails in the all-time series and has had its share of struggles over the years, the Mavericks have won six straight against the RedHawks and four of the last six contests on home ice. Omaha is 8-6-2 all-time against Miami at Baxter Arena – which includes a pair of games during the NCHC Pod.
Miami won just one game in NCHC play last season and has had losing records in each of the past nine seasons too. And the RedHawks are once again predicted to finish at the bottom of the conference this season.
However, Miami is trying to turn the page under first-year coach Anthony Noreen – who took over the job in April after a successful seven-year run with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm.
Although Miami’s 3-9-2 record might not strike fear into its opponents, the RedHawks have been in nearly every game and will come in hungry.
“They’re hard and they play quick and fast,” Gabinet said. “They’ve got a really good top line that’s put up a lot of points and they’re kinda relentless all over the ice. They try to take away a lot of time and space so we’ve got to be prepared for that pressure.”
Miami is led in goals and points by senior forward Matt Choupani (5-6-11) and has seen immediate contributions from graduate forward Colby Ambrosio – a Boston College transfer. Sophomore Bruno Bruveris and freshman Ethan Dahlmeir have also split time between the pipes this season.
Miami’s roster features six freshmen and 11 of Miami’s 29 players are new to the program.
Goaltending continues to shine through offensive woes
Kevin Reidler made his NCAA debut last Saturday at Arizona State. “Obviously you want the win but you also want him to perform well individually, and I thought he did that,” Gabinet said. “He played a really strong game and gained some confidence.”
Omaha’s goaltenders made 82 of a possible 87 saves last weekend at Arizona State.
Simon Latkoczy went 41-for-43 on Friday, continuing his solid start to the season, and freshman Kevin Reidler made an identical 41 saves in Saturday’s 3-2 loss. As mentioned above, it was the first start of Reidler’s career, and the Ottawa pick “made some nice saves and got some good experience.”
Latkoczy and Reidler have a combined .932 save percentage and 2.42 GAA this season, and Latkoczy has the nation’s eighth-most saves (291). Despite Omaha’s opponents averaging 35.7 shots per game, the nation’s fourth-highest total, the Mavericks have still allowed two or fewer goals in six of their first 10 games.
Gabinet said that while he wishes that number was lower, he’s not overly concerned by the shot volume. When you break down where the shots are coming from, many of them are from low-danger areas.
However, the reality is Omaha is averaging just 1.8 goals per game – tied for the nation’s fourth-lowest total – at the other end, leaving little margin for error between the pipes.
“When goals aren’t coming as easily, obviously you can’t give a lot up at the other end of the rink. So having goalies back there play consistent and play well has made a big difference for us,” Gabinet said.
“We don’t want to hang them out to drive by any means, but it is big knowing that you’ve got hot goalies and guys you can rely on to make big-time plays,” Stange added.
Final Verdict
Number to know: 7 – Seven of Omaha’s first 10 games have been decided by one goal with Omaha going 2-5-0 in those contests. The Mavericks were 16-3-4 in games decided by one goal or less last season.
Player to Watch: Sam Stange, Gr., F – The Wisconsin transfer scored twice last weekend at Arizona State and ranks second on the Omaha roster with four goals. Especially with Omaha’s injuries up front, Stange has the chance to play a key role.
Series prediction: Split
