Nebraska-Omaha used to Yost-like intensity

Omaha may not be a household name to the average college hockey fan. The city doesn't even get a second glance when one thinks of great hockey cities.

But hockey fans, think again.

A definition of a great hockey town: Where enthusiastic and rowdy fans watch great players play great hockey.

Do Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk and Scotty Bowman ring a bell?

Does an 8,314 seat arena, with rowdy fans, cold beer and the top talent from around the nation sound like a good place to watch a game?

No, hockey fans, this is not Detroit, this is Omaha. Omaha, Nebraska - home of the Omaha Lancers, the junior-league team for which current Wolverines Jed Ortmeyer and L.J. Scarpace used to play.

Omaha is also the former home of the Omaha Knights, a past farm club of the Detroit Red Wings, which gave fame to former Omaha goalie and coach Terry Sawchuk and Scotty Bowman.

But more important, the city is the home of Michigan's weekend opponent and the newest member of the CCHA, Nebraska-Omaha.

"They've already been able to recruit a lot of good players because of the type of program that it is," Scarpace said. "They have a good following. Omaha is a pretty big hockey town."

But hockey fans, relax. Michigan is not playing the Mavericks in the sold out and noisy Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Wolverines will face the Mavericks for the first time in the friendly confines of Yost Ice Arena.

Although recently those confines haven't been so friendly. Michigan has lost three of its last five games at home, and has not won a Friday night game at Yost in more than a month.

"We haven't had a good Friday game here in the last three weeks," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "All our eggs will be on the Friday game. We're not worried about winning two games; we're just worried about winning the game on Friday."

Michigan still has a lot of questions to answer before it can win Friday's matchup. Who will start in goal is one of them.

Michigan has seen two goalies - Scarpace and Kevin O'Malley - switch on and off for the last five home games.

Fans may also see new Michigan lines on Friday. The Wolverines have been working with an all-junior line of Josh Langfeld and Scott Matzka at the wing positions and Mark Kosick is trying out a new role at center.

These three will be attempting to power their way past a Nebraska defense that had one of the top penalty-killing units in the nation last year, but is currently struggling on defense, placing last in penalty-kill percentage.

The Wolverines may also be missing freshman John Shouneyia for the weekend, who is doubtful due to an ankle sprain.

The Mavericks are on the rise offensively, outshooting their opponents in the last eight games, and outscoring their foes by more than 40 goals on year.

Whatever the challenge may be, the Wolverines are up to it and know what they have to do to stop the up-and-coming Mavericks.

"They don't know what to expect coming here," Mike Comrie said. "It's unbelievable to play at this arena. We'll catch them off guard, which will be our bonus. We have to play hard and grab them right from the start."

But Omaha may be more ready then you think. It may know exactly what to expect when coming here.

Ann Arbor and Omaha may be more alike then one would think. The rowdy atmosphere and the big hockey talents have become second nature in both places.

"I don't think (Nebraska-Omaha fans) have as much hockey knowledge as fans here, but they are as loud," Ortmeyer said.

So take this as a warning. Nebraska-Omaha is used to the loud, obnoxious crowds and talented competition.

This may be the first year in the CCHA for this three-year-old team, but they already hold a .500 record in their new conference.

Scarpace said that Yost fans were unlike any others in the nation. And with two Michigan victories this weekend, even the boisterous Maverick fans couldn't argue with that.

This Weekend

Where: Yost Ice Arena

When: Tonight at 7:30 p.m., tomorrow at 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: WOLV TV (channel 70 in Ann Arbor) - WTKA 1050 AM and WCBN 88.3 FM on the radio.

12-10-99