OMAHA, Neb.- The Omaha Mavericks hockey team completed a two-game sweep Saturday night, defeating the Colorado College Tigers 3-2.  

The Mavericks suffered from a dismal performance in the first two periods of play. However, the Mavericks rallied, scoring twice before Kirby Proctor scored the game-winning goal with 1:01 left in regulation.  

“I saw a lane to the net,” Proctor said.“ I felt pretty fortunate to score.”

The Tigers showed strong effort in the first period out shooting the Mavericks 10-3 and grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Grant Cruikshank goal.  

The Tigers continued to ride their momentum from the first period into period two, scoring in the first 3:45 of the period on Cruikshank’s second goal of the game.

The Mavericks avoided the shutout with a power-play goal by freshman Matt Miller tipping a shot from the blue line by Jonny Tychonick.

The Mavericks tied the game in regulation when Taylor Ward scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season. Ten seconds later, the Mavericks struck again when Jack Randl scored off a scramble. The officials waved off the goal because Colorado College goalie Dominic Basse’s helmet was knocked off.

Overtime was imminent until Proctor scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

“This team finds ways to win games,” Mavericks head coach Mike Gabinet said.

Proctor has scored four goals in his UNO career; all four have been game-winning goals.

The Tigers pulled their goalie in the final minute of the third period but could not tie the game. Nolan Sullivan won a faceoff with 2.4 seconds left to secure the win.  

“They’re a good team,” Gabinet said. “But so are we.”

With the win, the Mavericks guaranteed themselves a top-four finish in the NCHC standings, moving to 13-6-1 and 6-0 this season against the Tigers.

This team finds ways to win games

Mike Gabinet