Box Score OXFORD, Ohio – The Omaha hockey team earned its first series sweep at Miami, beating the RedHawks, 6-2, for its second win of the weekend.
Luc Snuggerud had two goals and an assist, and
Austin Ortega had two goals to lead the Mavericks to their third straight win. They are now 6-3-1 overall and 3-1-0-0/0 in the NCHC. The RedHawks, losers of five straight, are now 3-6-2 overall and 0-4-0-0/0 in conference play.
For the eighth time in their first 10 games, the Mavericks opened the scoring.
Teemu Pulkkinen slid a pass across the crease, and
Mason Morelli hammered it home for his third goal of the weekend and fifth of the season. It gave the Mavericks at least one powerplay goal in all 10 games this season.
UNO stretched its lead with a shorthanded goal at 12:45.
David Pope stole the puck and worked a give-and-go with Ortega. Pope drew the defenders to him before setting up Ortega for his team-leading eighth goal of the year.
Miami battled back with some good special teams play, getting two powerplay goals from Kiefer Sherwood just 1:50 apart to tie the game.
The Mavericks took the lead back 7:20 into the second period.
Ian Brady carried the puck down the left wing and fed Snuggerud who was crashing the net. He took the pass, deked goaltender Chase Monroe and slid the puck past him for his fourth goal of the season.
Pope put the Mavericks up 4-2 during a 5-on-3 power play. Snuggerud set him up at the right faceoff circle for a one-timer that zipped over the shoulder of Monroe for this third of the year.
In the third, Miami pushed hard to close the gap and nearly got to within a goal, but Sherwood's bid for a hat trick hit the post and bounced away.
Minutes later, the Mavericks were in front by three.
Tristan Keck sent a long pass up ice to Ortega who had gotten behind the Miami defense. He raced in on a breakaway, putting a shot over Monroe's shoulder for his team-leading ninth goal of the year.
Snuggerud finished the scoring with an unassisted power play goal. He drove the net off the right wing, jamming the puck just across the goal line for his career-best fifth goal of the year. The play was not originally called a goal but was confirmed with a video review.
Evan Weninger made 23 saves to improve to 4-2-1 while Monroe stopped 20 for Miami.
UNO finished 3-for-8 on the power play while Miami went 2-for-7. The Mavericks have now scored six goals in three straight games.
Pope finished with a goal and an assist while Brady had two assists. Ortega has now scored points in six straight games, a new team season high.
The Mavericks return to Baxter Arena next weekend for their last home games before the holiday break. They'll host current No. 1 Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19.
