St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Heads to Omaha for Weekend Series

Huskies Hit the Road to Face Omaha After Arizona State Split

The St. Cloud State men’s hockey team, nursing a 3-4 record and the absence of their captain, packs its bags for a crucial road series against Omaha this weekend. St. Cloud State’s path forward was detailed by the St. Cloud Times, which reported on the team’s recent split with Arizona State and the challenges that lie ahead.

For a team aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament, this series against a 2-4 Omaha squad is a prime opportunity to secure a sweep and gain valuable ground in the conference standings. The stakes are clear: the Huskies need to translate their potential into consistent victories, especially as they play the season without their leader, Jack Reimann, who suffered an upper-body injury against Arizona State.

Mavericks Preview Home Series Against St. Cloud State | Omaha Hockey Press Conference

The Aftermath of Arizona State and the Road to Nebraska

The Huskies’ split with Arizona State last weekend was a study in contrasts. They secured a 2-1 win on Oct. 31 but fell just short in a 2-1 loss the night before, a game where Reimann was injured. The series highlighted a recurring theme: fast starts followed by stagnant play. Junior center William Ahlrik addressed this directly after the win, pinpointing a key tactical error.

“I think we got too cute,” junior center William Ahlrik said following a 2-1 win on Oct. 31. “Instead of getting the pucks deep, they got turnovers and found their momentum, too.”

Coach Nick Oliver echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the tight margins of the NCHC demand greater execution. Following the loss on Oct. 30, he pointed out that the style of play they faced is a recurring challenge in their league.

Omaha hockey previews home series against (RV) St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena. Full press conference 🎙️https://t.co/4QgR7y24LS pic.twitter.com/Wxe6IyvGzC

— https://x.com/HurrdatSports/status/2118103295927407087

“We’re going to be in that same type of game over and over in our league,” coach Nick Oliver said following the 2-1 loss against Arizona State on Oct. 30. “The margins get tighter [in this conference]. Special teams and little plays all over the rink become more important. You need to find a way to get to the interior of the rink and find a way to get some more scoring opportunities.”

The Huskies remain at 1-1 in the NCHC, and a successful road trip could solidify their position as a team on the rise.

Scouting the Mavericks: A Team Built on Depth

St. Cloud State’s opponent, Omaha, enters the weekend with a 2-4 record but with reasons for optimism. The Mavericks are just starting their first full homestand of the season, and their two wins came in a sweep of Lindenwood. They are led by senior defenseman Parker Berge (seven points) and sophomore forward Luke Woodworth (five points). In goal, freshman William Lacelle has been impressive with a .933 save percentage, despite a 1-4 record, while sophomore Dawson Cowan is 2-0 with an .898 save percentage.

Where the Mavericks present a challenge is in their depth. A significant factor in their game is that 11 different players have found the back of the net, and nearly the entire roster has been in every game. The Huskies have relied heavily on the scoring of forwards Nolan Roed and Gavyn Thoreson, and the strong goaltending of sophomore Yan Shostak.

Keys to Victory for the Huskies

One of the most intriguing storylines heading into the series is St. Cloud State’s ability to win despite being consistently outshot. In their last four games, the Huskies have been outshot by a significant margin, including a 46-25 deficit in a win over Boston College and a 43-27 edge against Arizona State. This unorthodox formula for success has worked, largely thanks to Shostak’s performance in net.

1/9/26 – St. Cloud State at Omaha Highlights

Shostak himself has embraced the heavy workload, stating a simple philosophy: “I like when [there’s] a lot of shots; I don’t think, and I just work.” This approach has been effective, as Omaha is winless this season when it loses the shot battle. The Huskies’ strategy should therefore remain clear: stay firm defensively, get the puck moving, and trust their offensive talent to capitalize on the opportunities created.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, and again at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Both games can be streamed on NCHC.tv or heard over the radio at KNSI (1450 AM/99.3 FM).