The University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks defeated the Manitoba Bisons 5-0 at Qwest Center Omaha on Monday. Out of the past four seasons these two teams have met, UNO has easily found the back of the net with an accumulative score 27-1. The Mavs have shutout the Bisons three out of the last four seasons.

UNO started the exhibition game off by displaying their speed. The first goal was knocked in top shelf over the glove of Gavin McHale by junior forward, J.J. Koehler, with assists coming from freshmen forwards, Jake Skjodt and Ryan Kretzer.

The penalty kill unit was put to the test for the first time this season when freshman forward, Alex Hudson, was called for interference in the first period. It would be just the first of ten penalties UNO received during the game.

At the 13:39 mark of the first period, UNO’s Joey Martin scored a power play goal with the assist form assistant captain Dan Charleston. Twenty-nine seconds later, Nick Von Bokern sent a one-timer from the blue line on net, notching the second power play goal of the game.

During the second period freshman defenseman, Matt Smith, jammed the puck past McHale with help from Skjodt to make the score 4-0. Charleston scored the final goal of the game by spinning around and backhanding the puck over McHale’s left leg pad.

All three UNO goaltenders had a chance to show their stuff during the game. Senior goaltender, Jerad Kaufmann, and freshman goaltender, John Faulkner, had a combined 10 shots on goal. While junior goaltender, Jeremie Dupont, faced 11 shots in the second period and made a few key saves to keep the team in the game. One save of those saves was a breakaway from Pierre-Paul Lamoureux.

“When you make that save and the crowd starts to roar, it’s a great feeling.” Dupont said.

Charleston would never say he isn’t happy about a win, but he said the team didn’t execute the way they had been taught.

“We can’t get all gung-ho about this victory,” said Charleston. “We’ve got to keep a level head going into the Stampede.”

UNO coach Mike Kemp said the amount of penalties were due to the four man officiating team.

“It’s the reality of hockey right now in college hockey and we are going to have to adapt to it.” Kemp said.

UNO will start its regular season with the annual Mutual of Omaha Stampede October 17 at 7:05 p.m., against the Yellow Jackets of American International.