St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Returns to NCHC Play with Road Trip to Omaha

Friday, January 9

Baxter Arena | Omaha, Neb.

7:00 P.M. CT

St. Cloud State

Omaha

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St. Cloud State Men's Hockey Returns to NCHC Play with Road Trip to Omaha

1/8/2026 3:30:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Game Notes

Huskies and Mavericks to play Friday and Saturday at Baxter Arena

THE MATCHUP

St. Cloud State Men's Hockey returns to conference play for the first time in nearly a month this weekend when the Huskies head to Omaha, Neb., to face the Omaha Mavericks for a two-game series on Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10 at Baxter Arena. Puck drop for both games of the series is slated for 7:00 p.m. CT with Mike Vaillancourt and Terry Leahy on the call on NCHC.tv. On the radio, the voice of the Huskies Jim Erickson and former captain Dave Reichel will have the call over the airwaves on KNSI (1450 AM / 99.3 FM). SCSU is coming off a Cactus Cup championship down in the desert, beating Yale and UMass Lowell to earn its first in-season championship since 2016. Omaha opened the second half of the season on the road at then-No. 17 Cornell last weekend, falling 6-4 and 3-2 in Ithaca.

NATIONAL POLLS / POST-SEASON OUTLOOK

SCSU has yet to crack the top-20 in either the USCHO or USA Hockey polls this season, but are receiving votes in both polls. Omaha spent some of the season inside the top-20 but is no longer receiving votes in either poll. With the second half of the season just starting, focus begins to shift to the NCAA Percentage Index (NPI), which replaces the Pairwise and is the official system for selecting and seeding teams for the NCAA Tournament. In the current NPI, SCSU moved up three spots from a week ago to No. 20 (10-10-0, 0-3 OT) while Omaha sits at No. 42 (7-13-0, 0-0 OT).

SERIES HISTORY

The Huskies and Mavericks will take the ice for the 55^th and 56^th times this weekend, with the Huskies holding a 30-20-4 advantage in the all-time series between the two programs. However, Omaha holds the advantage in the last 10 meetings with a 5-3-2 mark since Feb. 2023. Last season, the Mavericks took three of four from the Huskies which includes a series sweep for the Mavericks in Omaha in its last meeting. The two teams split a Dec. 6-7, 2024, series in St. Cloud with a 4-3 OT win for Omaha on Friday and a 5-2 SCSU win on Saturday before the Mavericks won 6-3 and 3-1 on Jan. 24-25, 2025 in Omaha. Junior forward Tyson Gross provided the offensive spark in the first series for the Huskies, scoring four goals and five points en route to NCHC Forward of the Week honors.

TERRIFIC TRIO

Junior forward Tyson Gross (27 points / 1.35 ppg), sophomore forward Austin Burnevik (22 points / 1.10 ppg) and junior forward Barrett Hall (21 points / 1.05 ppg) have led the way offensively for the Huskies through the first half of the season, all averaging more than a point per game. SCSU is one of two teams in the NCHC (UMD - 4) and eight in the NCAA to have 3+ players averaging 1.00+ points per game.
SCSU has not had three players average 1.00+ ppg over a full season since 2018-19 when Patrick Newell (1.17 ppg), Blake Lizotte (1.08 ppg) and Robby Jackson (1.05 ppg) all reached the mark. Gross' current mark of 1.35 ppg is the best mark by a Husky since Mark Hartigan posted 1.79 points per game in 2001-02 (75 points in 42 games). In 38 seasons of Division-I hockey, SCSU has had three or more players average 1.00+ ppg in 14 seasons and just four times since 2003-04.

GROSS ALL AROUND

Junior forward Tyson Gross has been dominate in the faceoff circle this season and is quickly shooting up the nation's leaders with his offensive production. He has won an NCAA-best 289 draws this season with a 63.0 percent (289-170) success rate and an NCAA-high 20 wins in both games of the Alaska Anchorage series (Oct. 24-25).
The Husky junior has won 10+ faceoffs in 19 of 20 games this season and 15+ faceoff wins in six consecutive games and 10 overall.
Gross has scored a point in 18 of 20 games this season, collecting 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, ranking eighth nationally in points and 12^th in assists. He currently owns the longest active point streak in nation at eight games, and earlier this season had a nine-game point streak to open the season. The streak extended to 10 games dating back to March 15, 2025, as he became just the seventh Husky since 2002-03 to record a point streak of 10+ games.
The Husky junior captain is currently producing 1.35 points per game, the best mark in program history since Mark Hartigan's historic 75-point campaign in 2001-02 where he averaged a program-best 1.79 points per game. Gross' current mark would rank fifth all-time in program history if the season were to end today.
When he scored his 20^th point with an assist against North Dakota on Dec. 6, Gross became the 23rd player in program history to begin their SCSU career with three consecutive 20-point seasons.

LOFTUS EARNS NCHC WEEKLY HONOR

Sophomore defenseman Finn Loftus was named NCHC Defenseman of the Week after his best weekend as a Husky to-date, scoring four points with a goal and three assists and a +1 mark on the ice to help the Huskies capture a Cactus Cup championship in Palm Springs, Calif. (Jan. 2-3).
In a 6-2 win over Yale on Friday (Jan. 2), Loftus scored the game-winning goal and added an assist for his first career two-point game. He then had two assists in a 3-2 championship game win over UMass Lowell on Saturday (Jan. 3) to record the first two-assist game of his career.
On the season, Loftus has scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points with a +4 mark on the ice. His point totals match senior defenseman Max Smolinski (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) for the team lead in all three categories among blue liners. He has scored a point in three consecutive games and in five of the last six games.

DANGEROUS ON THE POWER PLAY

The Huskies have been dangerous at times on the man advantage this season, scoring 24 of its 66 goals on the man advantage with at least one power play tally in 15 of 20 games this season and six games with multiple power play goals.
The Huskies began the season at a scorching rate, converting 39.5 percent (17-of-43) in its first nine games before falling back to 17.5 percent (7-of-40) in its last 11 games.
SCSU's 28.9 percent success rate (24-of-83) ranks third in the NCHC and fifth nationally while its 24 power play goals rank second in the NCAA, trailing only Michigan's 25 on the man advantage.
The Huskies' four power play goals against Vermont on Oct. 18 were its most since scoring four against St. Thomas on Oct. 7, 2023 while sophomore forward Austin Burnevik netted two of the four power play tallies to become the first Husky to score two power play goals in the same game since Grant Cruikshank scored two at Omaha on Feb. 24, 2023.
Burnevik's seven power play goals rank second in the NCAA while junior forward Tyson Gross ranks eighth with six.

NO STOPPING BURNEY

After becoming the first freshman in program history to lead the team in both goals and points in 2024-25, sophomore forward Austin Burnevik is picking up right where he left off a season ago. The rising sophomore ranks among the nation's best among goal scorers, ranking second in power play goals with seven, eighth in game-winning goals with three and seventh in overall goals with 13.
Burnevik returned to the score sheet after a season-long six game drought against Yale (Jan. 2), netting two goals for his third two-goal performance of the season. Burnevik has recorded a point in 15 of 20 games this season, and has scored at least one goal in 10 games.
Burnevik scored a goal in five consecutive games between Oct. 18 and Nov. 1, the longest streak since Veeti Miettinen scored in six straight games between Oct. 20 – Nov. 11, 2023.
The 2024-25 All-NCHC Rookie Team honoree opened the season with a nine-game point streak, which is the second-longest streak in the nation this season. He also scored in the last two games of last season, moving his point streak to 11 games, the longest point streak by a Husky since Jonny Brodzinski had an 13-game point streak from Dec. 12, 2012 - Feb. 2, 2012. Since 2002-03, only six Husky skaters have recorded seven point streaks of 10+ games. Burnevik is joined by Garrett Roe (14, 2007-08), Jonny Brodzinski (13, 2012-13), Drew LeBlanc (13, 2012-13), Ryan Lasch (11, 2007-08; 10, 2007-08) and Tyson Gross (10, 2025-26).

STATEMENT WINS

St. Cloud State is 2-7-0 against ranked teams this season, but its two wins have been statement wins that will look real good on its resume once postseason play comes around.
First, SCSU beat defending National Champion and then-No. 3 Western Michigan, 5-1, on Nov. 1 to snap a five-game losing streak to the Broncos. The win was SCSU's first over a top-three ranked opponent since Jan. 7, 2023 when the Huskies beat No. 3/1 Mminnesota, 3-0, in St. Cloud.
SCSU then erased a two-goal deficit to beat No. 6/5 Denver, 4-3, on Dec. 13. The Huskies win was the Pioneers first loss in regulation in conference play this season. The Huskies overcame a two-goal deficit and won for the first time since winning 3-2 in overtime over Minnesota Duluth on March 7, 2025. The last time SCSU overcame a two-goal deficit and won in regulation was Dec. 3, 2022, when the Huskies trailed North Dakota 3-0 before winning 6-3.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT FOR HALLSY

Junior forward Barrett Hall has made steady strides in each of his three seasons in the black and red. Hall began his collegiate career with 16 points (8g/8a) in his 2023-24 freshman season before 22 points (7g/8a) in his sophomore campaign.
The Apple Valley native has elevated his production to more than a point per game this season, producing eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 20 games. Hall has already matched his career-bests in goals (eight) and power play goals (four) and is one point away from matching his career high for point production.
Hall has been known to make the highlight play for the Huskies, with his shorthanded goal against North Dakota on Dec. 5 reaching Sportscenter's Top-10 plays.

QUICK START HUSKIES

Good things seem to happen to the Huskies when they score first. SCSU is 10-1-0 when scoring first opposed to 0-9-0 when its opponent scores first
The Huskies have been good at keeping leads as well, posting a 9-0-0 mark when leading after one period and 9-1-0 record when leading after two periods.
Sophomore forward Austin Burnevik has scored thiree first goals for the Huskies, while junior forward Tyson Gross and freshman forward Nolan Roed have both scored two first goals.

A LOOK BACK AT LAST SERIES

SCSU won the Cactus Cup championship in its last time out, beating Yale (6-2, Jan. 2) and UMass Lowell (3-2, Jan. 3) at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs to earn its first in-season tournament title since 2016. Junior forward Tyson Gross was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after scoring four points (1-3—4) and a 73.7 mark (28-10) in the faceoff dot. In the Yale win, Gross and sophomore forward Austin Burnevik each produced three points, with Burnevik netting two goals in the victory. Three different Huskies scored in the championship game win over the River Hawks, including Gross with his 11th goal and sixth power play tally of the season in the first period. Sophomore goaltender Patriks Berzins earned both wins in net for the Huskies, posting a 2.00 goals-against-average and a 92.3 percent save percentage in the tournament.

NOTES FROM LAST SERIES:

GAME 1 - 6-2 win vs. Yale (1-2-26)
- With the win, SCSU moves to 2-0-0 against Yale with its first win coming on Oct. 30, 2004, in a 10-0 win in New Haven, Ct.
- The game was SCSU's first-ever game played in the Pacific Time zone.
- SCSU scored a season-high six goals in the game, marking its most goals scored in a game since Jan. 26, 2024, a 7-6 overtime loss to Omaha.
- On the season, SCSU moves to 9-1-0 when scoring first, 6-4-0 when outshooting its opponent, 8-0-0 when leading after one period and 8-1-0 when leading after two periods.
- The Huskies went 1-for-1 on the power play to improve to 28.8 percent (23-of-80) on the man advantage this season.
- Sophomore forward Austin Burnevik extended his team lead in goals to 13 with his two-goal performance, marking the third time this season and fifth time in his career he has scored two goals in a game. The Husky sophomore added an assist for three points, matching a career-high he previously set on Oct. 12, 2024, against Bemidji State.
- Through 19 games, Burnevik has already matched his season total of 13 goals from his freshman campaign.
- Burnevik's first goal was his seventh power play goal of the season as he rises to second in the nation in power play tallies. The score broke a season-long six game scoreless streak for Burnevik, who last scored Nov. 11 at St. Thomas.
- Junior forward Tyson Gross recorded three assists with the primary marker on Burnevik's second goal and secondary assists on Burnevik's first and Loftus' score. He matches a career-high in assists and points, marking the second time he's reached three assists (Feb. 21, 2025, vs. Colorado College) and the fourth time he's reached three points.
- Gross extended his point streak to seven consecutive games while raising point per game average to 1.37 points per game.
- The Husky captain went 11-5 in the faceoff dot, marking the 18th time in 19 games he has won 10 or more faceoffs.
- Sophomore defenseman Finn Loftus scored a goal and assist for his first career two-point game with his third goal and fifth assist for the season.
- Sophomore goaltender Patriks Berzins made 27 saves and earned his sixth win of the season, marking the seventh time this season he has made 25 or more saves.
- Freshman Noah Urness scored his fourth goal of the season and first goal since Oct. 25 against Alaska Anchorage while setting a season-high with eight shots on goal.
- Freshman defenseman Joe Belisle scored his first collegiate goal in the final minute of the game on a shot from the point.
- Junior forward Verner Miettinen netted his first goal of the season with an empty net score in the third period.
GAME 2 - 3-2 win vs. UMass Lowell (1-3-26)
- SCSU won its first in-season tournament since winning the 2016 North Star Cup on Jan. 30-31, 2016, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
- SCSU improves to 1-1-0 against UMass Lowell with its only other previous matchup coming on Dec. 1, 1987, a 7-4 win for the River Hawks in SCSU's first season as a Division-I program.
- On the season, SCSU moves to 10-1-0 when scoring first, 9-0-0 when leading after one period and 9-1-0 when leading after two periods.
- The Huskies went 1-for-3 on the power play to improve to 28.9 percent (24-of-83) on the man advantage this season. On the penalty kill, SCSU killed its only penalty to move to 72.4 percent (42-of-58) on the season.
- Junior forward Tyson Gross scored his 11th goal and sixth tally on the power play this season while also extending his point streak to eight consecutive games.
- The Husky captain went 17-5 in the faceoff dot, marking the 19th time in 20 games he's won at least 10 faceoffs and the 18th time he's won 15+ faceoffs.
- Senior forward Grant Ahcan netted his second shorthanded goal of the season and fourth of his career in the second period. He moves to a tie for 13th all-time in program history in shorthanded goals with 10 other Huskies.
- After recording his first career two-point game in the Cactus Cup opener, sophomore defenseman Finn Loftus scored two assists for his first career two-assist game. He has scored a point in three consecutive games and in five of the last six games.
- Freshman forward Noah Urness scored his fifth goal of the season and marked the first two-game goal streak of his career after netting a goal in the opener. His third period score eventually became the game-winner, marking his third game-winning goal of the season.
- Sophomore goaltender Patriks Berzins made 21 saves and allowed two goals, marking the 10th time this season he has made 20+ saves and the seventh time he's allowed two goals or less.