This Week
    No. 16 Omaha returns to Baxter Arena for the first time since early December when it plays host to No. 7 Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday in the only regular-season series between the NCHC rivals. This is alumni weekend for the Omaha hockey program. Former Mavericks from throughout the program's 25 seasons will be in attendance during Saturday's series finale to be honored during the game.

The Teams
    Omaha rerouted to No. 6 Denver last week after its scheduled series with North Dakota was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. The Mavericks dropped the opening game to the Pioneers, the top offensive team in the nation, 5-2 before being shut out for the second time this season 4-0 in the finale on Sunday.
    Minnesota Duluth recorded a 4-1 victory and a 2-2 tie in a home series against Miami to get back on track after dropping five of its previous six games. The Bulldogs, winners of two of the last three national titles, have played 14 games against ranked opponents this season and two more against a team rated now.

The Coaches
    Mike Gabinet is in his fifth season as head coach of the Maverick and has posted a 68-77-11 record at his alma mater. The 2004 Omaha graduate served as an associate head coach during the 2016-17 season before being elevated to the head coach position in 2017-18.
    Gabinet returned to Omaha after four seasons at the North Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Alberta, the last as its head coach. That season, he led the Ooks to a 36-0-0 record and the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Championship. He was named the conference Coach of the Year and became the first rookie head coach in Canadian college hockey to guide his team to an undefeated record.
    Gabinet, a standout defenseman for the Mavericks from 2000-04, is assisted by Dave Noel-Bernier (Omaha, 2001) and Paul Jerrard (Lake Superior State, 1987).
    Scott Sandelin (North Dakota, 1986) has had a remarkable run at Minnesota Duluth since taking over the program in 2000. He's turned the Bulldogs into a national power, winning NCAA titles in 2011, 2018 and 2019.

Media
    Both games can be heard live on 1180 The Zone. Casey Roehl will handle the play-by-play duties while Terry Leahy provides analysis. Coverage begins with the FNBO Pregame Show.
    Live video is available on NCHC.tv while audio and stat links are available at OMavs.com.

Series History: Omaha vs. Minnesota Duluth
    Omaha's series with Minnesota Duluth dates back to the earliest days of Maverick hockey, and the teams have played regularly since 2011.The Bulldogs have won 26 of the 41 all-time meetings between the rivals and have been particularly dominant of late. They've gone 10-0-1 in their last 11 games with Omaha.
    The teams met twice last season in the NCHC pod at Baxter Arena. Duluth took the first meeting to claim its 10th straight win over the Mavericks. The teams tied in the second game, then Omaha won a shootout.