Crunch Time: Mavs Host Spartans Friday, Saturday
Jan 31, 2007 | Hockey
It's coming down to crunch time in the CCHA as the Mavericks host No. 6 Michigan State in a key series this weekend at Qwest Center Omaha on Friday and Saturday. Faceoff each night will be at 7:05. Fifth-place UNO trails the fourth-place Spartans by three points entering the series.
Media Coverage
The games will be broadcast on KKAR, 1290 AM, with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes before faceoff. Greg Harrington will call the action, with Terry Leahy providing color commentary. Saturday night's contest will also be televised by NETV and will be shown statewide on NET1 as well as being broadcast nationally on CSTV.
The Records
The Mavericks are 13-11-6 overall and 10-8-2 in the CCHA. UNO is coming off a sweep of Northern Michigan and has won five of its past six league games. Sixth-ranked Michigan State is 16-8-1 overall and fourth in the CCHA with a 12-6-1 mark. The Spartans have been idle since a Jan. 19-20 sweep over Lake Superior State to extend a five-game winning streak. MSU has won nine of its past 10 games overall and eight of its past nine in CCHA play.
The Coaches
Nebraska-Omaha's Mike Kemp is in his 10th season as the Maverick head coach. Kemp is a 1975 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. The Duluth, Minn., native is 157-182-43 at UNO overall and has an 87-98-31 record in the CCHA. Kemp is 8-14-0 vs. Michigan State. Rick Comley is in his fifth season behind the Spartans' bench and in his 34th collegiate season. Comley guided Lake Superior State to a 59-46-3 record in three seasons, then led Northern Michigan to a 538-429-68 record over 26 years before moving to MSU. He is 107-68-11 with the Spartans and has a 704-543-88 mark, ranking fifth in career wins in NCAA history.
The Series
The Spartans hold a 14-8-0 edge on the Mavericks in the all-time series. In Omaha, the series is tied at 3-3. UNO won three of four meetings last year with the Spartans, sweeping a two-game set in East Lansing and splitting in Omaha.
Last Games
Nebraska-Omaha swept Northern Michigan at home last weekend by scores of 5-2 and 6-1. The Mavericks went into the second period each night trailing 1-0 to the Wildcats, but rebounded to pick up their fourth CCHA sweep of the year and third at home. Scott Parse had three assists on Friday and Dan Charleston had two goals Friday night. Saturday, the Mavs scored twice shorthanded and once on a power play. Parse had two goals and an assist and Jeremie Dupont made 21 saves.
Coming Up
The Mavericks will travel to CCHA-leading Notre Dame for a two-game series, then will come back home to host Ohio State at Civic Auditorium in the final regular season home games of the year. Game times are 7:05 and 8:05 p.m.
Media Coverage
The games will be broadcast on KKAR, 1290 AM, with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes before faceoff. Greg Harrington will call the action, with Terry Leahy providing color commentary. Saturday night's contest will also be televised by NETV and will be shown statewide on NET1 as well as being broadcast nationally on CSTV.
The Records
The Mavericks are 13-11-6 overall and 10-8-2 in the CCHA. UNO is coming off a sweep of Northern Michigan and has won five of its past six league games. Sixth-ranked Michigan State is 16-8-1 overall and fourth in the CCHA with a 12-6-1 mark. The Spartans have been idle since a Jan. 19-20 sweep over Lake Superior State to extend a five-game winning streak. MSU has won nine of its past 10 games overall and eight of its past nine in CCHA play.
The Coaches
Nebraska-Omaha's Mike Kemp is in his 10th season as the Maverick head coach. Kemp is a 1975 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. The Duluth, Minn., native is 157-182-43 at UNO overall and has an 87-98-31 record in the CCHA. Kemp is 8-14-0 vs. Michigan State. Rick Comley is in his fifth season behind the Spartans' bench and in his 34th collegiate season. Comley guided Lake Superior State to a 59-46-3 record in three seasons, then led Northern Michigan to a 538-429-68 record over 26 years before moving to MSU. He is 107-68-11 with the Spartans and has a 704-543-88 mark, ranking fifth in career wins in NCAA history.
The Series
The Spartans hold a 14-8-0 edge on the Mavericks in the all-time series. In Omaha, the series is tied at 3-3. UNO won three of four meetings last year with the Spartans, sweeping a two-game set in East Lansing and splitting in Omaha.
Last Games
Nebraska-Omaha swept Northern Michigan at home last weekend by scores of 5-2 and 6-1. The Mavericks went into the second period each night trailing 1-0 to the Wildcats, but rebounded to pick up their fourth CCHA sweep of the year and third at home. Scott Parse had three assists on Friday and Dan Charleston had two goals Friday night. Saturday, the Mavs scored twice shorthanded and once on a power play. Parse had two goals and an assist and Jeremie Dupont made 21 saves.
Coming Up
The Mavericks will travel to CCHA-leading Notre Dame for a two-game series, then will come back home to host Ohio State at Civic Auditorium in the final regular season home games of the year. Game times are 7:05 and 8:05 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
