Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Miller's Game-Winner Gives Omaha OT Victory
Oct 16, 2021 | Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. – Matt Miller buried a one-timer off a faceoff win 2:16 into overtime Friday to give No. 13/14 Omaha a 3-2 victory over Alaska in the opening game of a nonconference series at Baxter Arena.
Freshman center Cameron Berg won an offensive-zone draw in the right circle, sending the puck back in Miller's direction. The sophomore forward wound up just as the puck became visible then slapped it in.
Miller's third game-winning goal, and fourth overall on the season, gave the Mavericks (4-1) their fourth consecutive victory. It brought a sudden end to a physical contest that was bogged down by penalties.
"It was just a quick-hit play," Miller said. "Bergy [did] a great job winning that faceoff back. I just stepped into a one-timer. We're looking to get a good shot off. It was a good faceoff win, and it found its way in."
Nanooks goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals had little time to react to Miller's blast, which came on Berg's ninth faceoff win of the night. Berg was subbed into the game for the sole purpose of winning that draw.
"In 3-on-3, if you start with the puck, you usually have possession and that leads to good opportunities," Omaha coach Mike Gabinet said. "We were trying to get a few pairings of wingers together out there in the flow of the play and, obviously, have a center there when we're in a faceoff situation."
Berg picked up the first assist of his collegiate career on the goal that ended a back-and-forth overtime.
"It's intense," Miller said. "Your heart's always pounding when the puck's out there."
The Mavericks held a 2-0 lead at the first intermission after scoring twice in the final five minutes of the opening period. Taylor Ward got Omaha on the board with a 4-on-3 power-play goal, his third of the season, 15:57 in. Jack Randl then netted his third goal in as many games on a rush with 44 seconds left.
Alaska, however, responded by scoring twice in a second period that featured eight infractions and 27 total penalty minutes. Robert Kalkis cut the Omaha advantage to 2-1 on a power-play goal 7:31 into the period. Brady Risk scored the equalizer with five seconds remaining to pull the Nanooks even at 2-2.
The Mavericks then took four penalties in the third and had to kill off three Alaska power plays.
"We were expecting them to play a hard, gritty game against us," Berg said. "Sometimes you just have to play through those and find a way to win."
Omaha eventually did when his faceoff win gave Miller the opportunity to drive home the game-winner.
"It was a great faceoff win by Bergy," Miller said. "I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could."
Freshman center Cameron Berg won an offensive-zone draw in the right circle, sending the puck back in Miller's direction. The sophomore forward wound up just as the puck became visible then slapped it in.
Miller's third game-winning goal, and fourth overall on the season, gave the Mavericks (4-1) their fourth consecutive victory. It brought a sudden end to a physical contest that was bogged down by penalties.
"It was just a quick-hit play," Miller said. "Bergy [did] a great job winning that faceoff back. I just stepped into a one-timer. We're looking to get a good shot off. It was a good faceoff win, and it found its way in."
Nanooks goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals had little time to react to Miller's blast, which came on Berg's ninth faceoff win of the night. Berg was subbed into the game for the sole purpose of winning that draw.
"In 3-on-3, if you start with the puck, you usually have possession and that leads to good opportunities," Omaha coach Mike Gabinet said. "We were trying to get a few pairings of wingers together out there in the flow of the play and, obviously, have a center there when we're in a faceoff situation."
Berg picked up the first assist of his collegiate career on the goal that ended a back-and-forth overtime.
"It's intense," Miller said. "Your heart's always pounding when the puck's out there."
The Mavericks held a 2-0 lead at the first intermission after scoring twice in the final five minutes of the opening period. Taylor Ward got Omaha on the board with a 4-on-3 power-play goal, his third of the season, 15:57 in. Jack Randl then netted his third goal in as many games on a rush with 44 seconds left.
Alaska, however, responded by scoring twice in a second period that featured eight infractions and 27 total penalty minutes. Robert Kalkis cut the Omaha advantage to 2-1 on a power-play goal 7:31 into the period. Brady Risk scored the equalizer with five seconds remaining to pull the Nanooks even at 2-2.
The Mavericks then took four penalties in the third and had to kill off three Alaska power plays.
"We were expecting them to play a hard, gritty game against us," Berg said. "Sometimes you just have to play through those and find a way to win."
Omaha eventually did when his faceoff win gave Miller the opportunity to drive home the game-winner.
"It was a great faceoff win by Bergy," Miller said. "I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
