Omaha Hopes To Build Off NCAA Appearance
Sep 29, 2021 | Hockey
Qualifying for the NCAA tournament at the end of a COVID-restricted season, which began in a pod and featured a conference-only schedule, provided inspiration in the offseason for the Omaha hockey team.
The Mavericks open their 2021-22 regular season with a Saturday-Sunday series against fellow tourney qualifier Lake Superior State at Baxter Arena, looking to launch a march toward another NCAA berth.
"It's, definitely, motivation to get back there. It was a great experience," senior forward Taylor Ward said. "Obviously, it ended a little bit shorter than I think we wanted. But that's just a learning curve. We have most of the guys that were there last year this year. We're motivated to get back there, for sure."
Omaha, which posted a 14-11-1 record last season, opens with 10 consecutive home games. Those contests will have a different atmosphere than those in the pod last year that were played without fans.
Head coach Mike Gabinet welcomes the return to a more normal environment for the upcoming season.
"We're looking forward to a good season, hopefully, with lots of fans in the building," he said.
A mask policy remains in place for Baxter Arena as the Mavericks begin their season, but attendance is not restricted in any way. Omaha hopes to capitalize on that during its first five home series in the fall.
"I think it's an advantage for us," Gabinet said. "We'll get home, guys get to stay in school, and use that home-ice advantage to our advantage and make sure that we're preparing properly and [that] bodies are rested. I'm looking forward to playing at home, in front of our fans, and establish some momentum."
The Mavs, picked to finish fifth in the rugged National Collegiate Hockey Conference, begin the season ranked 17th in the USCHO.com preseason poll. Gabinet downplayed the ranking when speaking to local media members this week. But graduate forward Kevin Conley, Omaha's returning captain, welcomed it.
"To be in the Top 20 is a testament to what we did last year," he said. "There's expectations here."
Conley said its up to the Mavericks to live up to those expectations now. Omaha returns most of its roster from a team that was fourth in the NCHC standings last season after being picked to finish sixth.
"We have a lot of experience. I think we learned a lot last year. We have pretty much the same lineup coming back," alternate captain Ward said. "That should just make us better than we were last year."
The Mavericks bring back their top 15 point-producers from last season, and junior Isaiah Saville returns in goal. They flourish with a team-first mentality that puts group goals above individual achievements.
"Those are secondary. I think we can all agree on that," Ward said. "One of the big things about our team is we're not worried about individual success. We're just as happy for others' success."
As Omaha looks to build from last season, its players work to give the coaching staff things to consider daily with regards to a lineup. Gabinet said it's a great problem to have. In his program, today matters.
"I think you have to have that internal competition. You have to help each other get better, and that comes from practicing against other good players," he said. "When you look at our team, we have a lot of really good hockey players that can compete and play well. I'm looking forward to that internal competition and having guys compete and helping each other get better."
The Mavericks open their 2021-22 regular season with a Saturday-Sunday series against fellow tourney qualifier Lake Superior State at Baxter Arena, looking to launch a march toward another NCAA berth.
"It's, definitely, motivation to get back there. It was a great experience," senior forward Taylor Ward said. "Obviously, it ended a little bit shorter than I think we wanted. But that's just a learning curve. We have most of the guys that were there last year this year. We're motivated to get back there, for sure."
Omaha, which posted a 14-11-1 record last season, opens with 10 consecutive home games. Those contests will have a different atmosphere than those in the pod last year that were played without fans.
Head coach Mike Gabinet welcomes the return to a more normal environment for the upcoming season.
"We're looking forward to a good season, hopefully, with lots of fans in the building," he said.
A mask policy remains in place for Baxter Arena as the Mavericks begin their season, but attendance is not restricted in any way. Omaha hopes to capitalize on that during its first five home series in the fall.
"I think it's an advantage for us," Gabinet said. "We'll get home, guys get to stay in school, and use that home-ice advantage to our advantage and make sure that we're preparing properly and [that] bodies are rested. I'm looking forward to playing at home, in front of our fans, and establish some momentum."
The Mavs, picked to finish fifth in the rugged National Collegiate Hockey Conference, begin the season ranked 17th in the USCHO.com preseason poll. Gabinet downplayed the ranking when speaking to local media members this week. But graduate forward Kevin Conley, Omaha's returning captain, welcomed it.
"To be in the Top 20 is a testament to what we did last year," he said. "There's expectations here."
Conley said its up to the Mavericks to live up to those expectations now. Omaha returns most of its roster from a team that was fourth in the NCHC standings last season after being picked to finish sixth.
"We have a lot of experience. I think we learned a lot last year. We have pretty much the same lineup coming back," alternate captain Ward said. "That should just make us better than we were last year."
The Mavericks bring back their top 15 point-producers from last season, and junior Isaiah Saville returns in goal. They flourish with a team-first mentality that puts group goals above individual achievements.
"Those are secondary. I think we can all agree on that," Ward said. "One of the big things about our team is we're not worried about individual success. We're just as happy for others' success."
As Omaha looks to build from last season, its players work to give the coaching staff things to consider daily with regards to a lineup. Gabinet said it's a great problem to have. In his program, today matters.
"I think you have to have that internal competition. You have to help each other get better, and that comes from practicing against other good players," he said. "When you look at our team, we have a lot of really good hockey players that can compete and play well. I'm looking forward to that internal competition and having guys compete and helping each other get better."
Players Mentioned
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