By: Jacob Thimjon
OMAHA, Neb.- The Omaha Men’s Hockey team kicked off its 26th season with a 7-2 win over the 2021-22 national runner-up and the preseason third-ranked team in the U.S College Hockey Online Poll Minnesota State Mavericks.
Omaha started fast and furious when Omaha sophomore center Ty Mueller scored Omaha’s first goal of the season five minutes into the first period.
“It was exciting,” Omaha captain and senior forward Nolan Sullivan said. “It was fun to just get out there and see everybody alive.”
Omaha continued its offensive onslaught at 9:04 in the first period. Omaha newcomer and Notre Dame transfer Jake Pivonka snuck a wrist shot behind Minnesota State goalie Keena Rancier at the back of the net behind assists from Brock Bremer and fifth-year senior Tyler Weiss to make the score 2-0 Omaha.
The Omaha Mavericks increased their lead to 3-0 at 2:51 in the second period when Omaha freshman left wing Ray Fust scored on a wrist shot past Rancier inside the left goal post.
Less than three minutes later, in-game time in the second period, Minnesota State center David Silye scored a one-timer goal from the left circle in the Minnesota State attacking zone to cut Omaha’s lead to 3-1.
Minnesota State right-wing junior Connor Gregga was given a five-minute major penalty after Gregg struck Omaha left-wing Cameron Berg with his knee at the 7:59 mark in the second period making it a five-on-four advantage for Omaha. Off the five-on-four advantage, Omaha extended its lead to 5-1 after two power-play goals from Weiss and Bremer.
Omaha captain and senior forward Nolan Sullivan said Omaha’s power play success comes down to the hard work the team put in during training camp, but said figuring out the best power play units is like putting together a puzzle.
“You’re still figuring out parts and pieces and testing guys out in news spots,” Sullivan said.
Minnesota State further cut into its deficit when Silye scored his second goal past Omaha freshman goalie Simon Latkoczy with a wrist shot from the left circle in the Minnesota State attacking zone at 14:04 in the second period.
Omaha extended its lead to 6-2 when Omaha senior Johnny Tychonick scored a goal with a one-timer shot from the blue line just behind the left circle in Omaha’s attacking zone.
Omaha capped its scoring with its third power-play goal of the game off the stick of junior forward Kaden Bohlsen to give Omaha the 7-2 win over Minnesota State.
“It was nice to see the scoring get spread around so much and different guys contributing, and it’s nice for guys getting that positive momentum heading into the season too,” Gabinet said.
In addition to tonight’s win, the Omaha Mavericks kept possession of the Pride of the Maverick traveling award. Before the two teams’ last meeting in 2015, the award was given yearly to the winning team for the duration of that season when Minnesota State and Omaha played head-to-head.
“Always nice to get a win, especially against such a quality opponent,” Gabinet said. “We know it’s an exhibition game, but anytime you have success, you can build off it.”
Omaha will open regular-season play with a two-game series against the Niagara University Purple Eagles Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, from Baxter Arena.