2019-20 Omaha Hockey - The Mavericks Look Ahead
3/25/2020
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When student-athletes sign on to be Omaha hockey players, they’re enlisting for duty like few in college hockey. But then they wouldn’t join up if they weren’t ready for the challenge.
Armed with 12 freshmen to start the year, the Mavericks were lightly regarded in the preseason polls, but the rookies and the returning players took little notice. They proved early on that they were in lockstep with their hardworking, passionate coach. This team wanted to win and together, they would plan, prepare and work toward that goal.
BATTERY MATES
Being a goaltender is college hockey is no easy task. When you’re a freshman goaltender, the learning curve is so steep as to appear vertical. It was pretty clear from the opening weekend that the Mavericks had a pair of rookie netminders in Isaiah Saville and Austin Roden who were up for the task of stopping pucks in the NCHC.
(Click below to read more about each goaltender's sterling collegiate debut.)
NON-CONFERENCE TAKE-DOWNS
Playing ranked opponents is a fact of life in the NCHC, but the Mavericks have made a habit of playing ranked foes outside the conference as well. Such was the case in the front half of the season when they visited No. 12 Ohio State in October, hosted No. 12 Wisconsin in November and later welcomed No. 14 Arizona State in December. All three series begin with a loss, but each ended with a win that showed the mettle in these Mavericks.
Saville stops 37 saves, UNO kills 5? OSU power plays, Ward and Abate score...a dandy tonight in Columbus. @godfatherspizza pic.twitter.com/e8oOQhMH92
— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) October 19, 2019
(Click below to read more about and watch the Mavericks' win over No. 12 Wisconsin.)
ONE NIGHT IN JANUARY
The Mavericks and North Dakota have been deemed rivalry partners by the NCHC. That means that even with an unbalanced schedule, they play each other four times every year, no matter what. It’s tough duty for the Mavericks because the Fighting Hawks are very good almost every year and tough even when they’re down. The former was the case on January 10. UND was ranked No. 1. The Mavericks paid no mind, winning 6-3 to hand the Fighting Hawks what would be their only home loss of the season.
(Click below to read more about and watch the Mavericks' upset of No. 1 UND.)
And the Mavericks weren’t one hit wonders. In March, they did it again to the guys who would end up regular season champions.
ROOKIES
With such a large freshman class, the Mavericks needed the new guys to play prominent roles. More than a few rose to the occasion. Joey Abate and Ryan Brushett tied for third in freshman scoring in the NCHC with 18 points apiece. Brushett led all rookies with 16 assists while Abate was third with nine goals. Classmate Nolan Sullivan was fifth in rookie scoring with 17 points, and Brandon Scanlin tied for seventh with 14. The future is now.
SEASON STATS - TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
The 2019-20 season always will feel like a book with the last chapter torn out. There were still games to be played when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered all professional and amateur sports. The Mavericks had a playoff series with long-time nemesis Denver on the horizon. The players were optimistic and determined. The coaches had their charges prepared.
In spite of the abrupt ending, there were accomplishments to be celebrated:
- Five more wins than the previous season
- Three more conference wins
- Five more road wins
- Eighteen more goals than the previous season
- Twenty-five fewer goals against
- Two members of the NCHC All-Rookie Team for the first time in school history
TRADITIONS
Every team has its traditions. The Mavericks had theirs on full display this season.
The Mavericks’ first goal of any home game wouldn’t be the same without the fish and the Mavboni.
When we won, we sang.
?? Singing loud for all to hear. ??#WeWinWeSing | #EveryoneForOmaha pic.twitter.com/lKKJxRakyo
— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) December 23, 2019
And in the locker room, the Mavericks’ top guns handed out helmets to the night’s true aces.
SENIORS
Only those who have done it will understand what it means to give four years of your young life to something that means so much to so many. All of the Mavericks' graduating seniors came to Omaha thinking they were going to play hockey and get an education.
They did that, but there was so much more. They became men. They became heroes. They became Mavericks.
?? 14 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 27 ??
— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) March 14, 2020
To the men of the Class of 2020, thank you for being Mavericks.#EveryoneForOmaha | #OmahaHKY pic.twitter.com/rtCs43DK4p
The wait is longer this year. Hockey will return…hopefully on time. Until then, we can remember the season that was…one of growth, one of excitement and one of promise.
