Omaha kept its home win streak alive and remains tied for second in the NCHC standings, as the Mavs are coming off a sweep of Minnesota Duluth.
However, the going gets much tougher this weekend, as Omaha heads to first-place Western Michigan.
Here’s what you need to know before the puck drops.
No. 20 Omaha (16-11-1, 12-5-1) at No. 3 Western Michigan (20-5-1, 13-2-1)
Game 1: Friday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m. CDT
Game 2: Saturday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. CDT
*Both games played at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Omaha
Conference: NCHC
Head coach: Mike Gabinet (8th season, 134-125-18)
Leading scorer: Sam Stange, Gr., F (11-14-25)
Between the pipes: Simon Latkoczy, Jr. (13-10-1, .932 save percentage, 2.42 GAA)
Power Play: 21/96 (21.9%)
Penalty Kill: 57/72 (79.2%)
PairWise Ranking: 27th
Western Michigan
Conference: NCHC
Head coach: Pat Ferschweiler (fourth season, 90-48-4)
Leading scorer: Alex Bump, So., F (12-18-30)
Between the pipes: Cameron Rowe, Gr. (14-1-0, .934 save percentage, 1.73 GAA)
Power Play: 18/66 (27.3%)
Penalty Kill: 56/60 (93.3%)
PairWise Ranking: 5th
All-time series: Omaha leads, 36-29-6
Last matchup: Nov. 9, 2024 – WMU 4-2 win at Baxter Arena
Last Time Out
After allowing a season-high 11 goals in Denver, the Mavs responded with a pair of wins over Minnesota Duluth. Omaha opened the series with a 4-1 win and finished the sweep with a 5-2 victory on Saturday, extending its home win streak to seven.
The Omaha Mavericks sing their fight song in the Baxter Arena lobby after their 5-2 win over UMD on Saturday, February 2, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Collin Stilen.
Omaha is 8-1-1 over its past 10 games and 12-5-1 in NCHC play, and the Mavs are getting contributions from all over the lineup.
Brady Risk racked up five points (3-2-5) against UMD and Harrison Israels had three (1-2-3), and the Alaska transfers have 28 combined points (14-14-28) over the past 12 games. Zach Urdahl scored two more goals in the series and Sam Stange picked up four assists, while Simon Latkoczy made 89 of 92 possible saves – including 50 in the finale.
Omaha climbed back inside the top 20 this week and carries plenty of momentum into its final six games, starting this weekend in Kalamazoo.
“Looking forward to it,” Gabinet said Wednesday afternoon. “Obviously they’re first-place right now and we’re trying to catch those guys. They’re playing some good hockey and we’re playing some good hockey, so we’re looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Opponent Watch
The Mavericks and Broncos opened NCHC play in early November with WMU winning a pair of games at Baxter Arena.
Alex Bump had four points (2-2-4) in that series and WMU goalies Cameron Rowe and Hampton Slukynsky made 59 of a possible 62 saves over the 2-1 and 4-2 wins.
Rowe and Slukynsky have formed the nation’s top goalie tandem and WMU owns a .936 team save percentage – which ranks second in the country. WMU also has three double-digit goal scorers in Owen Michaels (14), Bump (12) and Liam Valente (11), and five Broncos have 20 or more points.
Omaha forward Jimmy Glynn (22) takes the puck to the Western Michigan net on Nov. 8, 2024 at Baxter Arena. Omaha will make its return trip to Kalamazoo this weekend. “They were both close games when they were here, so it’s gonna be competitive,” Gabinet said. “We’re looking forward to getting another crack at these guys and playing them on their home ice.” Photo by Jaelle Johnson.
Pat Ferschweiler’s club continues to fire on all cylinders offensively while remaining one of the nation’s top defensive clubs. WMU is averaging 3.6 goals per game and allowing 1.7, which are tied for fifth and second.
The Broncos also own the nation’s top penalty kill (93.3%), where they’ve killed 40 straight penalties over their past 17 games, along with the nation’s sixth-best power play (27.3%). Its .546 faceoff win percentage is tied for sixth too.
The Broncos swept St. Cloud State last weekend and are 11-1-1 on home ice this season. WMU is 9-1-0 over its past 10 and has earned 40 of a possible 48 points in NCHC play.
“They’re gonna give you a couple looks here and there, and obviously they’ve got the goaltenders that are playing extremely well as well,” Gabinet said. “So you’re not gonna get a ton of (looks) and not a lot of time when you get them with how they pressure so well. So you’ve got to be prepared for those opportunities and make sure you’re limiting their opportunities and counter-punching when an opportunity presents itself.”
Ludtke Back On The Ice
Tanner Ludtke underwent surgery in early November and has been out of the lineup since Oct. 25 with an upper-body injury. Gabinet said the sophomore forward was “likely out for the season” during his Nov. 13 press conference and the Mavs missed his play-making ability, especially in the first half.
The Minnesota native had a team-leading 28 points last season and earned a spot on the NCHC All-Rookie Team, but he’s played just five games this season. However, the Utah pick is trending in a positive direction, and he’s back skating. Although Gabinet said on Wednesday that Ludtke remains unavailable game-wise.
While a return doesn’t exactly sound imminent, Ludtke skating is encouraging, and he may not be done for the year after all. Omaha has a bye next weekend too, giving him another week to recover and draw closer to a return.
Gabinet added that Garrett Pinoniemi could be back in the lineup this weekend and freshman defenseman Isaiah Norlin has also been cleared to be a full practice participant. Myles Hilman returned last weekend against UMD as well.
Final Verdict
Number to know: 45 – Western Michigan has allowed just 45 goals through 26 games, which is the nation’s second-lowest total – one behind Boston College (44). Omaha has scored 38 times over its past 10 games, but goals could be at premium this weekend.
Player to Watch: Brady Risk, Gr., F – Risk rides a three-game goal streak into Kalamazoo and is coming off a five-point (3-2-5) weekend. The graduate forward has 14 points (8-6-14) over his past 10 NCHC contests and he scored his Maverick goal against WMU on Nov. 9.
Series prediction: WMU Sweep
