Weekly Release
This Week: The 18th-ranked UNO hockey team begins a string of five road games when it visits the Ferris State University Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. Face-off is 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday and 5:05 p.m. ET on Saturday from Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.
Last Week: The Mavericks earned their first series sweep of the season with 4-3 and 4-2 wins over Western Michigan last weekend at Qwest Center Omaha. On Friday night,
Alex Hudson had two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist to propel the Mavericks' attack.
Dan Swanson and
Brandon Richardson also scored. In the rematch on Saturday,
Eddie DelGrosso had a pair of goals, including one on the powerplay, and
Eric Olimb had the game-winner.
Matt Ambroz also scored.
John Faulkner earned Friday's win in relief and got another win on Saturday.
The Records: The Mavericks are 7-4-3 this season and 4-4-2-1 in the CCHA. They are tied with Northern Michigan for sixth place in the league. The Bulldogs are 9-3-2 overall and 4-2-2-2 in the conference, good for fifth place.
The Series: UNO is 16-9-3 all-time against Ferris State and 6-5-3 all-time against the Bulldogs in Big Rapids, Mich. Last season, the Mavericks were 3-2-1-0 against Ferris State including a two-game sweep in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. UNO is winless in its last three games at Ewigleben Ice Arena (0-2-1-0).
The Coaches: The 2009-2010 season marks a new era for Nebraska-Omaha as #
Dean Blais# takes over as the head coach.
Mike Kemp, the only coach in the program's history, was promoted to Associate Athletic Director in May of 2009. Blais brings an impressive resume to Omaha. He led the University of North Dakota to national titles in 1997 and 2000. He won five WCHA regular season titles with UND and two playoff championships. He is a two-time winner of the Spencer Penrose Memorial Award given to Division I hockey's top coach. The native of International Falls, Minn. has a career record of 269-119-36. Blais is assisted by former Omaha Lancer head coach and first-year associate head coach Mike Hastings and third-year assistant coach Nick Fohr.
Bob Daniels is in his 18th season as head coach at Ferris State. The 1982 graduate of Michigan State is 278-324-65 in his career.
Media: Both games will be broadcast live on “The Voice of Omaha's Team”, KVNO 90.7 FM.
Dave Ahlers will call the action, and Terry Leahy will provide features from the studio. Coverage begins 20 minutes before the face-off. Live audio is available at
kvno.org and live stats at omavs.com.
Coming Up: The Mavericks continue their road stretch with games at Alaska on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12. Face off is 10:05 p.m. CT each night from the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.
