UNO Maverick Hockey 2007-2008

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:14 pm

That's pretty freakin sweet! Good one.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:46 pm

Problem is that one or two loud fans here and there have a tough time starting any chants, unless they use cell phones or other types of communication devices. By organizing in one area, they at least have a way of starting something.

If you think it's quiet in your area, feel free to chant or sing along with them. That's what I do....

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:52 pm

According to some Discussion on the UNO hockey boards

UNO is sitting in 6th in Attendance this year at 6,615 up 1,036 from last years attendance of 5,579.

Hopefully next year we keep the same trend and shoot for 7,700!!!

NorfOgal · Post by **NorfOgal** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:10 am

That is FANTASTIC !!

Thanks for sharing it with us.

DonutStopLover · Post by **DonutStopLover** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:21 am

you got a link to one of those message boards brad?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:30 am

Mavericks Hockey Forum

Post by **Brad** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:29 pm

UNO Hockey: Mavs hope to rekindle civic pride

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10259152

The date was March 14, 2000. The scene was a sold-out Civic Auditorium in downtown Omaha. The final score was UNO 3, Bowling Green 1.

But if you talk to anybody who has anything to do with University of Nebraska at Omaha pucks, all you have to say is "Tuesday night." On that electric evening - one that still ranks among the most magical nights in the history of Omaha sports - Hoggan and the 3-year-old Mavericks willed their way to Detroit's Joe Louis Arena - "The Joe," as it's more commonly known - and into the CCHA's final four.

It was the Mavs' first season competing in the league, and it was a most improbable postseason run UNO put together on its way to the CCHA championship game. And Hoggan's two-goal performance against the Falcons that Tuesday night still seems to produce chills for anybody who was squeezed into the Civic to see it.

"It's definitely one of the most memorable games I've ever skated in," said Hoggan, who's in his eighth season of a pro career that's included 98 NHL games with St. Louis and Boston. "I'd rank it right up there with my first NHL game. It was something that was just so special to be a part of."

The preamble to UNO's unexpected home game against Bowling Green that spring is well known among area puckheads. The Mavs first upset Northern Michigan on the Wildcats' home ice in a best-of-3 CCHA series. UNO put them away with a dramatic 2-1 win on March 12 - with Hoggan burying the game-winner in that one, too - and earned the right to host Bowling Green two days later in a one-and-done elimination game.

The ice had already been removed at the Civic, but workers scrambled to re-freeze the rink after both the Mavs and Bowling Green turned in their surprising playoff wins. When UNO's players took their pregame skate Tuesday morning, they had to dodge several orange cones covering up some exposed patches of concrete.

The playing surface was far from perfect by the time the puck dropped later that evening. But everything else was in place for one perfectly dramatic hockey game.

"We went out for our pregame stretch an hour before the first face-off, and the place already was just about packed," said Dave Noel-Bernier, the former Mavericks forward who now works as UNO's director of hockey operations. "There already were people in there like you wouldn't believe, so we knew it was going to be a really fun night."

As legend has it, the CCHA needed to print its programs for the St. Patrick's Day semifinals in Detroit before Tuesday night's game was even played. Assuming a win by Bowling Green - by far the more established college hockey program - the league went ahead and inked the Falcons into the first run of the final four program.

But the Mavs and 8,314 rabid fans had other plans. Michael Jones scored at 14:48 of the first to put Bowling Green ahead 1-0, but Hoggan knotted it two minutes later. The tight, well-played game remained tied until Hoggan scored what he later described as a "lucky goal" with only 4:15 to go in the third.

On the play, UNO defenseman Ed Cassin flipped the puck through the air from the Mavs' zone across mid-ice. Somehow the bouncing puck landed on Hoggan's stick after Falcons defenseman Doug Schueller took a whack at it. And then in a flash, Hoggan skated in on Bowling Green goalie Tyler Masters and swatted in a shot that went between Masters' pads.

"After that goal, the building was just shaking," said Terry Leahy, the longtime color man for UNO's hockey radio broadcasts. "The noise at that point was unforgettable. I would think the only comparable moment in the history of the Civic - and I was there - was the Creighton-Indiana State Missouri Valley Conference title game in 1978. That was Larry Bird playing incredibly for Indiana State, and this hockey game seemed to be beating that as far as the noise level."

As the Mavs prepare to move back to their old barn this weekend to take on Bowling Green once again, UNO coach Mike Kemp said it's hard not to flash back to that watershed moment in the 11-year history of the program. As an assistant at Wisconsin, Kemp's Badgers teams had skated for national championships and played in some of the most legendary arenas in college hockey.

And yet Kemp can't remember a more exhilarating experience during his three decades on the bench than the night UNO won that play-in game.

"I haven't been in a more electrifying building than the Civic was on that particular evening," said Kemp, whose club has to vacate Qwest Center Omaha this weekend to accommodate the Nebraska high school state wrestling tournament. "Long before the game started until long after the game was over, it was just an incredible atmosphere. The outpouring of support we felt from the community was unbelievable."

Tom Shatel: Mavs, crowd make magic

Originally published March 15, 2000

Well, it looks like everyone better vote for the new arena and convention center on May 9. Because the old Civic Auditorium came down last night.

This was March Mavness. This was insane. This wasn't Omaha. This was Detroit. Philadelphia. Montreal. This was Chicago Stadium, the old Chicago Stadium, on steroids.

This was magic, pure and simple. The UNO hockey team, which is growing faster than a 6-foot, 13-year-old, provided the magic. And the crowd threw it right back at them. They were partners on a singular mission. They were in perfect synch. They kept batting the magic back and forth to each other like a beach ball.

And both outdid themselves. The Mavs took care of Bowling Green, 3-1, in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoff, play -in game. The Mavs, in their third year as a program and first year in the league, are going to the CCHA Final Four on Friday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Yes, UNO is going to Hockeytown, U.S.A. Although, on Tuesday night, you would have sworn this was Hockeytown.

At the very least, it was Hockeyville here. Omaha has had its Knights, its Lancers, its Omaha U. way back when. But this had to be one of the greatest, loudest, most special nights in Omaha hockey history. There were more people yelling, screaming, chanting and standing then you could shake a high - stick at.

"It was unreal," said sophomore Jeff Hoggan. "I can't even describe it."

The whole evening was wild. It was like something out of a dream. Veteran observers were saying it was the loudest noise in this building since the famous "Larry Bird" game against Creighton in 1978.

They were just nuts. Totally nuts. The fans got here early. They stood and cheered during warm - ups. They got louder and louder. They kept standing and standing. There were 8,314 of them but they sounded like 18,000. So much for people not wanting to drive downtown. So much for good-life Nebraskans sitting on their hands. These people came to party and win a hockey game and they weren't going to leave until both were on ice.

This is what you call a home-ice advantage. This atmosphere is why UNO is going to rise like a hot Internet stock in the CCHA. The word is going to get around about this night, how 8,314 people literally lifted a team riddled with injuries and fatigue, playing its fourth intense game in five nights, to glory. Even the milk bottles will be hoarse today.

"The crowd was stirring," UNO Coach Mike Kemp said. "It was the best crowd I can think of since opening night here (in 1997) against Manitoba. It was better than any place I've been, better than any place I can think of."

Their reward was victory. They saw a terrific game and a whale of an effort between both evenly - matched sides. Bowling Green goaltender Tyler Masters was a wall, stopping 39 shots. Sidoruk stopped 25. Back and forth the teams went, skating out of desperation, trying to get to "The Joe." Is there anything better than playoff hockey?

No, nothing better, especially when it's wrapped in a fairy tale. The winning goal was scored by Hoggan, who has scored the last three game - winning goals, who was told last December he would have to miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It would have sidelined Eric Crouch or Ben Walker. But in hockey, the movements on skates allow for an athlete to skate on the injury. That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

"It comes and goes," Hoggan said. "But on a night like this, it's easier to take."

It was the kind of night they'll be talking about for years. The accomplishment. Hoggan's game - winner trickling past Masters. And the crowd. They just wouldn't stop. It was 11 p.m., the place was empty, and you could still hear "U-N-O, U-N-O" somewhere in the arena.

"I always said I thought something special was going to happen to this team," said captain Jeff Edwards. "But I don't think it's happened yet."

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:10 pm

Agh, what a great article (the original)!!

I wasn't in Omaha in 2000, but reading the account just gave me a perma-grin.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:31 pm

I really thought we would win both games this weekend....

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:25 pm

Greg S wrote:I really thought we would win both games this weekend....

I know. I bought 11 tickets and took some friends and family that normally don't go to UNO games and they saw a dud!

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:20 pm

PLAYOFFS THIS THURSDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY 7:05 PM QWEST CENTER OMAHA

This season's attendance:

2007-2008 Division I Men's Attendance
Team Dates Avg.Attendance Capacity % Cap.
1. Wisconsin(WCHA) 18 13455 15,237 88.3
2. North Dakota (WCHA) 17 11725 11,640 100.7
3. Minnesota (WCHA) 18 9942 10,000 99.4
4. Colorado College (WCHA) 17 7028 7,343 95.7
5. Michigan 17 6679 6,637 100.6
6. Nebraska-Omaha 18 6604 16,700 44.9
7. New Hampshire 15 6120 6,110 100.2
8. St. Cloud State (WCHA) 18 6064 5,763 105.2
9. Denver (WCHA) 18 6053 6,026 100.4
10. Boston College 14 5943 7,884 75.4
11. Michigan State 20 5677 6,470 87.7
16. Ohio State 17 4269 17,500 24.4
24. Notre Dame 16 3226 2,667 121.0
28. Northern Michigan 17 2899 3,754 77.2
29. Miami 18 2866 3,200 89.6
31. Alaska 16 2844 4,324 65.8
33. Western Michigan 18 2600 3,667 70.9
35. Bowling Green 15 2503 5,000 50.1
37. Lake Superior 16 2314 3,373 68.6

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:21 pm

Are you going Thursday Brad?

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:23 pm

Coyote wrote:Are you going Thursday Brad?

OF COURSE! I will be there Thursday, Saturday and Sunday if needed!

I might even get in a suite one of the the games!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:25 pm

If I don't fill my schedule Thursday I'll meet you down there.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:31 pm

Let me know.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:46 pm

UNO Hockey Coach Mike Kemp will be on the Big Show with Matt Perrault on the Might Big Sports 590am at 4:30 Today!

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:09 pm

Good Interview!

1. Kemp is sad about Bret Farve
2. Recruits are not asking questions about the instability in the athletic department
3. Next time he will play the national team pre-season
4. His goal is top 5 in the CCHA every year
5. He hopes attendance keeps growing at the Qwest Center
6. goaltending inconsistencies are a problem

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:22 am

UNO Hockey Coach Mike Kemp Interview

[wmp]http://podcast.bigsports590.com/Portals ... 0Kemp).mp3[/wmp]

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:49 am

UNO WINS! UNO WINS! UNO WINS!

UNO wins 4 to 3, just about blowing a 4 to 1 lead!

NEXT GAME SATURDAY 9-8-2008

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:04 am

Mavs capture EIGHTH-LONGEST game in NCAA history

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10279530

Platisha, an unsung junior forward from Brainerd, Minn., saved the University of Nebraska at Omaha's season by netting the game-winner at 4:22 of the third overtime Sunday night. Platisha's first goal since November 2005 lifted the Mavericks to a spine-tingling 2-1 win over Alaska and clinched the first-round best-of-three CCHA playoff series for UNO.

"It just feels amazing," said Platisha, whose last goal came when his college career was less than two months old. "Just to win the game and move on to the next round — the boys every game keep telling me I'm going to score a big goal. Finally, it happened."

Entering Sunday, Platisha had only three goals and 12 career points while playing in 67 games with the Mavs. That included three assists in his 12 previous appearances during 2007-08. But lucky game No. 13 for Platisha will be one the Mavs will never forget.

"You just have to feel ecstatic for him," UNO coach Mike Kemp said. "He's a kid who's been in and out of the lineup, doesn't always shine in the limelight — for him to be the one who goes out and scores this goal, what an incredible reward for him."

Technically, the Mavs eliminated the Nanooks in game three of the series. For all practical purposes, however, UNO won it in four. Sunday night's contest, the Mavs' first triple-overtime affair, goes in the books as the eighth-longest game in the history of NCAA pucks.

The Mavericks now move on to play CCHA regular-season champion Michigan next weekend at the Wolverines' famous Yost Arena. With this contest lasting four hours and 15 minutes, and powerhouse Michigan earning a first-round playoff bye, the odds will be stacked against UNO in a huge way in the second round. After all, both UNO and Alaska looked completely gassed midway through the second overtime.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:35 pm

Channel Six has Video of the winning goal in the sixth peroid...

http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/16438371.html

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:53 pm

After all, both UNO and Alaska looked completely gassed midway through the second overtime.

Although Michigan might be rested up -- UNO has a week to refuel.

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:34 pm

Brad wrote:Mavs capture EIGHTH-LONGEST game in NCAA history

Technically ninth-longest, though I won't hold it against the writer since the 8th-longest game was played just two days earlier and I wouldn't expect the record books to be updated that quickly.

http://www.uscho.com/ncaad1/?data=longest_games

I had the pleasure of attending the 4th longest game in NCAA history a few years back, even if the wrong team won.