They Play Hockey in Nebraska?

Don't tell anyone but this is a HUGE series for Coach Don Lucia and the Gophers.  Nobody seems to notice, but the Huskers bring in an experienced team that put 101 shots on goal last weekend and a coaching staff with a championship pedigree.  Dean Blais, Mike Guentzel and Mike Hastings are three names Coach Lucia's been hearing way too often for his liking.  Some Gopher fans wouldn't mind trading coaching staffs and if the Gopher's struggle again this season they might get what they want.  Add to that a little bad blood between the coaches and you should have a rivalry right?  If tickets sales and media coverage are any indication this is nothing more than a warm up for Clown College next weekend.   Don't sleep on the Huskers, I guarantee you Lucia isn't.
It was obvious last weekend that Coach Lucia is feeling better.  In the 3rd period Saturday night he really gave it to his team during a time out.  He looked like a pissed off porcupine when he screamed,  "DO YOUR JOB!!"  It was nice to see that kind of intensity out of Lucia and it seemed to carry over to his young team.  That intensity will definitely be needed this weekend.
There are few question marks when a Dean Blais coached team comes to town.  His teams play Canadian style hockey.  They skate, they hit and they work hard every shift.  They play a physical style that has given the Gophers fits in the past.  You can count on scrums after the whistle and plenty of traffic in front of Minnesota goaltenders.   How do the Gophers win?
Get to the front of the net
Gopher forwards did an excellent job of getting to the dirty areas last weekend.  Jay Barriball scored 3 of his 4 goals within 5 feet of the net.  Jacob Cepis and Mike Hoeffel repeatedly drove to the net against Massachusetts and were rewarded for their efforts.  Zac Budish did a nice job of screening the goalie and getting his stick on pucks in the paint.  That has to continue against a tougher UNO squad.  Omaha is much bigger and will be more inclined protect the middle of the ice and keep their goalie clean.
Answer the bell 
The Huskers WILL be physical.  They will take that extra step and drill the defenseman after he passes the puck.  They will go to the front of the net and try to make the Gopher goalies life miserable.  They will get their sticks up high and face wash after the whistle.  Minnesota can't back down, especially early.  They have to be engaged physically and try to create a few scrums themselves.   Someone other than Seth Helgeson has to be a presence on the back end.  This teams manhood is gonna be questioned this weekend how they respond will tell a lot about them.
Don't watch the puck
Massachusetts created a lot of scoring opportunities because Gopher defensemen were ignoring their defensive responsibilities and watching the puck carrier.  Some of that can be attributed to youth and lack of practice time. UNO has better finishers than the Minutemen so if guys get caught staring it's gonna end up in the back of the net.  The Gophers have to stay in their lanes and do a better job of using their stick to negate those cross-ice passes that killed them last weekend.
Play to your strengths
Minnesota should have a speed and skill advantage over Nebraska-Omaha.  They need to use the entire sheet at Mariucci to create time and space for Cepis, Haula, and Barriball. That allows them to be creative and put pressure on the Nebraska defensman.  If the Huskers want to play physical and take penalties the Gophers have to make them pay on the power play.  Converting 4 of 9 chances like they did last weekend is a lot to ask but consistent zone time and pressure are a must.
I expect better played series by Minnesota this weekend.  Sure they swept UMass, but they were sloppy at times and gave up way too many quality scoring chances.  A solid week of practice should help the freshman get their feet wet and it better because the water is about to get deep.  This series is huge for UNO too.  They will come in with a chip on their shoulder and want to prove that they belong in the WCHA.  Coach Blais will have his team ready and expect a huge push by the Huskers early on Friday.  The Gophers need to weather the storm and play wide open fast hockey.
I predict a split-Gophers win Friday in close one and fall Saturday in a let down effort.

By the way I know UNO is called the Mavericks, but that's Mankato's mascot and they were here first.  I can't think of a good nickname so they're the Huskers.