Mavericks Resume NCHC Play vs. Minnesota Duluth
Jan 9, 2014 | Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Mavericks play their first home games in a month and a half when they host Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11. Friday's game begins at 7:37 p.m., and Saturday's game starts at 7:07 p.m. from the CenturyLink Center.
The Teams
The Mavericks are 8-9-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, good for second place. The Mavericks are coming off 6-3 and 5-2 losses at New Hampshire last weekend. The Mavs are 5-5-0 at home this year. Omaha is 5-8-0 all-time against UMD and 4-3-0 vs. the Bulldogs at home.
Minnesota Duluth is 7-8-1 overall this season and 3-5-0 in the NCHC, putting it in a three-way tie for sixth place. The Bulldogs picked up a 7-0 exhibition win over the US National Team Development Program last Friday in their only action of the week. UMD is 4-4-0 on the road this season.
Last Time Out
The Mavericks were swept for just the second time this season, losing at New Hampshire, 6-3 and 5-2. On Friday, Josh Archibald gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead early in the first, but UNH's Eric Knodel scored two powerplay goals to put the hosts up after one period. Austin Ortega tied the game for Omaha early in the second, but UNH reeled off three goals to lead 5-2 at the intermission. Archibald scored again at 7:17 of the third, but Kevin Goumas iced the game with an empty net goal. Ryan Massa took the loss with 20 saves and five goals against in almost 38 minutes of work. Kirk Thompson had nine saves in relief.
The following night, Archibald again staked the Mavs to a 1-0 lead late in the first, but Casey Thrush of UNH tied it at 1:52 of the second period. Ryan Walters scored a four-on-three powerplay goal at 3:21 of the third to put the Mavs back in front, but UNH scored four goals, including two on the power play, in a span of 4:30 late in the period to win going away. Matt Willows led the way for the Wildcats with a hat trick and an assist. Thompson stopped 31 shots in the loss.
The Coaches
Dean Blais is in his fifth year as the head coach of the Mavericks, having led UNO to two 20-win campaigns in that time. The 1973 graduate of Minnesota has posted a record of 344-192-50 (.630) in his career as a head coach and has guided the Mavericks to a mark of 82-77-17 (.514).
Blais is a two-time Spencer Penrose Memorial Award winner as the Division I coach of the year and a four-time winner of the WCHA's Coach of the Year Award. He spent 10 years as head coach at North Dakota where he led UND to national championships in 1997 and 2000. He is assisted by coaches Troy Jutting and Alex Todd who both have extensive head coaching experience, Jutting at Minnesota State and Todd at Castleton (Vt.) State .
Scott Sandelin is in his 14th season as the head coach at Minnesota Duluth. The 1986 graduate of North Dakota is 238-237-64 all-time leading the Bulldogs. He is assisted by Jason Herter and Derek Plante.
Media
Friday's game is being televised live by NET1, Nebraska's Public Television Service. Dave Ahlers will call the game, and former Maverick David Brisson will have analysis. Both games also can be heard live on 1180 The Zone 2. Frank Adkisson will have the play-by-play on Friday, and Ahlers will have the call on Saturday. Terry Leahy will provide analysis both nights. Coverage begins 30 minutes before game time with the First National Bank Pre-Game Show. Streaming audio, video and live stats are available at OMavs.com.
Up Next For the Mavericks
The Mavericks are on the road next week, visiting Miami on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18. Friday's game begins at 6:37 p.m. CT, and Saturday's contest starts at 6:07 p.m. CT from Steve Cady Rink in Oxford, Ohio.
The Teams
The Mavericks are 8-9-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, good for second place. The Mavericks are coming off 6-3 and 5-2 losses at New Hampshire last weekend. The Mavs are 5-5-0 at home this year. Omaha is 5-8-0 all-time against UMD and 4-3-0 vs. the Bulldogs at home.
Minnesota Duluth is 7-8-1 overall this season and 3-5-0 in the NCHC, putting it in a three-way tie for sixth place. The Bulldogs picked up a 7-0 exhibition win over the US National Team Development Program last Friday in their only action of the week. UMD is 4-4-0 on the road this season.
Last Time Out
The Mavericks were swept for just the second time this season, losing at New Hampshire, 6-3 and 5-2. On Friday, Josh Archibald gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead early in the first, but UNH's Eric Knodel scored two powerplay goals to put the hosts up after one period. Austin Ortega tied the game for Omaha early in the second, but UNH reeled off three goals to lead 5-2 at the intermission. Archibald scored again at 7:17 of the third, but Kevin Goumas iced the game with an empty net goal. Ryan Massa took the loss with 20 saves and five goals against in almost 38 minutes of work. Kirk Thompson had nine saves in relief.
The following night, Archibald again staked the Mavs to a 1-0 lead late in the first, but Casey Thrush of UNH tied it at 1:52 of the second period. Ryan Walters scored a four-on-three powerplay goal at 3:21 of the third to put the Mavs back in front, but UNH scored four goals, including two on the power play, in a span of 4:30 late in the period to win going away. Matt Willows led the way for the Wildcats with a hat trick and an assist. Thompson stopped 31 shots in the loss.
The Coaches
Dean Blais is in his fifth year as the head coach of the Mavericks, having led UNO to two 20-win campaigns in that time. The 1973 graduate of Minnesota has posted a record of 344-192-50 (.630) in his career as a head coach and has guided the Mavericks to a mark of 82-77-17 (.514).
Blais is a two-time Spencer Penrose Memorial Award winner as the Division I coach of the year and a four-time winner of the WCHA's Coach of the Year Award. He spent 10 years as head coach at North Dakota where he led UND to national championships in 1997 and 2000. He is assisted by coaches Troy Jutting and Alex Todd who both have extensive head coaching experience, Jutting at Minnesota State and Todd at Castleton (Vt.) State .
Scott Sandelin is in his 14th season as the head coach at Minnesota Duluth. The 1986 graduate of North Dakota is 238-237-64 all-time leading the Bulldogs. He is assisted by Jason Herter and Derek Plante.
Media
Friday's game is being televised live by NET1, Nebraska's Public Television Service. Dave Ahlers will call the game, and former Maverick David Brisson will have analysis. Both games also can be heard live on 1180 The Zone 2. Frank Adkisson will have the play-by-play on Friday, and Ahlers will have the call on Saturday. Terry Leahy will provide analysis both nights. Coverage begins 30 minutes before game time with the First National Bank Pre-Game Show. Streaming audio, video and live stats are available at OMavs.com.
Up Next For the Mavericks
The Mavericks are on the road next week, visiting Miami on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18. Friday's game begins at 6:37 p.m. CT, and Saturday's contest starts at 6:07 p.m. CT from Steve Cady Rink in Oxford, Ohio.
Players Mentioned
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