Spomer Hockey
@spomerhky.bsky.social
General thoughts about college hockey with a focus on Omaha Hockey. Obviously, the opinions here don't reflect upon any current or former employers.
Listen, the refs didn’t lose the game for the Mavs.
But why are NCHC officials making this call to put the Mavs down two men just eight minutes into the game.
It’s not a penalty.
UMass scored on the 5x3.
We’re better than this, right?
But why are NCHC officials making this call to put the Mavs down two men just eight minutes into the game.
It’s not a penalty.
UMass scored on the 5x3.
We’re better than this, right?
October 25, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Listen, the refs didn’t lose the game for the Mavs.
But why are NCHC officials making this call to put the Mavs down two men just eight minutes into the game.
It’s not a penalty.
UMass scored on the 5x3.
We’re better than this, right?
But why are NCHC officials making this call to put the Mavs down two men just eight minutes into the game.
It’s not a penalty.
UMass scored on the 5x3.
We’re better than this, right?
Controlled breakouts don’t usually make highlight reels — they’re about clean exits and smart spacing.
But when coverage drops for even a second? Structure turns into a Grade A.
But when coverage drops for even a second? Structure turns into a Grade A.
October 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Controlled breakouts don’t usually make highlight reels — they’re about clean exits and smart spacing.
But when coverage drops for even a second? Structure turns into a Grade A.
But when coverage drops for even a second? Structure turns into a Grade A.
Omaha’s first weekend showed a more balanced lineup — and that’s a big step forward.
This sequence is a good example of how Omaha should find more scoring from their bottom two lines this year. Lineups will change as players return from injuries, but the foundation is there.
This sequence is a good example of how Omaha should find more scoring from their bottom two lines this year. Lineups will change as players return from injuries, but the foundation is there.
October 22, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Omaha’s first weekend showed a more balanced lineup — and that’s a big step forward.
This sequence is a good example of how Omaha should find more scoring from their bottom two lines this year. Lineups will change as players return from injuries, but the foundation is there.
This sequence is a good example of how Omaha should find more scoring from their bottom two lines this year. Lineups will change as players return from injuries, but the foundation is there.
Trying out something different.
Here's a breakdown of Omaha's first goal on Friday night against Air Force.
The goal was all set up by the read UNO07 made in the dzone.
Here's a breakdown of Omaha's first goal on Friday night against Air Force.
The goal was all set up by the read UNO07 made in the dzone.
October 7, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Trying out something different.
Here's a breakdown of Omaha's first goal on Friday night against Air Force.
The goal was all set up by the read UNO07 made in the dzone.
Here's a breakdown of Omaha's first goal on Friday night against Air Force.
The goal was all set up by the read UNO07 made in the dzone.
Air Force athletics stopped playing during the last government shutdown.
Unknown whether their funding mechanism has changed since then, but there’s precedent for canceling/postponing events.
Unknown whether their funding mechanism has changed since then, but there’s precedent for canceling/postponing events.
September 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Air Force athletics stopped playing during the last government shutdown.
Unknown whether their funding mechanism has changed since then, but there’s precedent for canceling/postponing events.
Unknown whether their funding mechanism has changed since then, but there’s precedent for canceling/postponing events.
I'm hyped to see Stolarz as the starting G in Toronto. He's been an top-tier NHL goalie for a few seasons.
The ride he's been on has been insane. The pressure of being a high draft pick, the awful injury in London, all the call-ups and demotions, more injuries...and then it all starts to click.
The ride he's been on has been insane. The pressure of being a high draft pick, the awful injury in London, all the call-ups and demotions, more injuries...and then it all starts to click.
April 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I'm hyped to see Stolarz as the starting G in Toronto. He's been an top-tier NHL goalie for a few seasons.
The ride he's been on has been insane. The pressure of being a high draft pick, the awful injury in London, all the call-ups and demotions, more injuries...and then it all starts to click.
The ride he's been on has been insane. The pressure of being a high draft pick, the awful injury in London, all the call-ups and demotions, more injuries...and then it all starts to click.
▪️ This program keeps trending up—4th, 5th, 3rd in the NCHC the last three years.
▪️ I don’t fixate on specific outcomes—college hockey is too random for that.
▪️ My expectations were simple: do the work and show growth. They met that with a massive checkmark.
▪️ I'm gonna miss this team—what a year!
▪️ I don’t fixate on specific outcomes—college hockey is too random for that.
▪️ My expectations were simple: do the work and show growth. They met that with a massive checkmark.
▪️ I'm gonna miss this team—what a year!
March 17, 2025 at 2:31 AM
▪️ This program keeps trending up—4th, 5th, 3rd in the NCHC the last three years.
▪️ I don’t fixate on specific outcomes—college hockey is too random for that.
▪️ My expectations were simple: do the work and show growth. They met that with a massive checkmark.
▪️ I'm gonna miss this team—what a year!
▪️ I don’t fixate on specific outcomes—college hockey is too random for that.
▪️ My expectations were simple: do the work and show growth. They met that with a massive checkmark.
▪️ I'm gonna miss this team—what a year!
The problem with this statement is that the CCHA messed up. The rules dictate how a win/loss is determined and the CCHA didn't follow that protocol. They would have lost in any litigation.
www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/beave...
www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/beave...
March 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
The problem with this statement is that the CCHA messed up. The rules dictate how a win/loss is determined and the CCHA didn't follow that protocol. They would have lost in any litigation.
www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/beave...
www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/beave...
▪️This has been building all year. 2025-11-08 presser. Mavs just lost their 5th straight.
▪️Gabinet is blunt and offers no excuses.
▪️But he also talks with empathy and mentions the work the players are doing.
▪️Life's tough. You find a way through it. Whatever happens next, this why I'm invested.
▪️Gabinet is blunt and offers no excuses.
▪️But he also talks with empathy and mentions the work the players are doing.
▪️Life's tough. You find a way through it. Whatever happens next, this why I'm invested.
March 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
▪️This has been building all year. 2025-11-08 presser. Mavs just lost their 5th straight.
▪️Gabinet is blunt and offers no excuses.
▪️But he also talks with empathy and mentions the work the players are doing.
▪️Life's tough. You find a way through it. Whatever happens next, this why I'm invested.
▪️Gabinet is blunt and offers no excuses.
▪️But he also talks with empathy and mentions the work the players are doing.
▪️Life's tough. You find a way through it. Whatever happens next, this why I'm invested.
▪️UND had their chances. They missed an open net 10 seconds into the 3rd. They get within 2 on a PP goal.
▪️Only fitting that Risk put the dagger into any comeback. Risk struggled to start the year with 0 points in his first 8 games. He battled through it and he's been almost 1 PPG since then.
▪️Only fitting that Risk put the dagger into any comeback. Risk struggled to start the year with 0 points in his first 8 games. He battled through it and he's been almost 1 PPG since then.
March 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
▪️UND had their chances. They missed an open net 10 seconds into the 3rd. They get within 2 on a PP goal.
▪️Only fitting that Risk put the dagger into any comeback. Risk struggled to start the year with 0 points in his first 8 games. He battled through it and he's been almost 1 PPG since then.
▪️Only fitting that Risk put the dagger into any comeback. Risk struggled to start the year with 0 points in his first 8 games. He battled through it and he's been almost 1 PPG since then.
▪️But somehow Risk is able to return and he took over the game.
▪️Israels does his best Zack Hyman and Risk puts it on a dime backdoor.
▪️Again, UNO takes a UND turnover and immediately attacks. It was a great entry scheme from Omaha - UND had numbers but couldn't pick up it up.
▪️Israels does his best Zack Hyman and Risk puts it on a dime backdoor.
▪️Again, UNO takes a UND turnover and immediately attacks. It was a great entry scheme from Omaha - UND had numbers but couldn't pick up it up.
March 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
▪️But somehow Risk is able to return and he took over the game.
▪️Israels does his best Zack Hyman and Risk puts it on a dime backdoor.
▪️Again, UNO takes a UND turnover and immediately attacks. It was a great entry scheme from Omaha - UND had numbers but couldn't pick up it up.
▪️Israels does his best Zack Hyman and Risk puts it on a dime backdoor.
▪️Again, UNO takes a UND turnover and immediately attacks. It was a great entry scheme from Omaha - UND had numbers but couldn't pick up it up.
▪️As I mentioned at the top, the game was closer than the score indicated. UND trims the lead to 2 goals with in the 2nd.
▪️Then Risk gets inadvertently taken out by his teammate. He was down and messed in a bad way. He struggled to get and stay up. It felt like all the momentum was on the UND side.
▪️Then Risk gets inadvertently taken out by his teammate. He was down and messed in a bad way. He struggled to get and stay up. It felt like all the momentum was on the UND side.
March 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
▪️As I mentioned at the top, the game was closer than the score indicated. UND trims the lead to 2 goals with in the 2nd.
▪️Then Risk gets inadvertently taken out by his teammate. He was down and messed in a bad way. He struggled to get and stay up. It felt like all the momentum was on the UND side.
▪️Then Risk gets inadvertently taken out by his teammate. He was down and messed in a bad way. He struggled to get and stay up. It felt like all the momentum was on the UND side.
▪️This was the wildest swing of the night. Omaha creates a turnover and counters, just missing the backdoor tap-in.
▪️UND goes the other way and scores. Game on.
▪️UND goes the other way and scores. Game on.
March 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
▪️This was the wildest swing of the night. Omaha creates a turnover and counters, just missing the backdoor tap-in.
▪️UND goes the other way and scores. Game on.
▪️UND goes the other way and scores. Game on.
▪️The 4th goal was textbook Omaha.
▪️Great angling by Bremer forces a turnover. Great stick by Glynn causes another turnover.
▪️UND's dzone structure collapses
▪️So perfect that Krenzen gets his first goal of the season on a shot that just finds it's way through a mess of bodies.
▪️Great angling by Bremer forces a turnover. Great stick by Glynn causes another turnover.
▪️UND's dzone structure collapses
▪️So perfect that Krenzen gets his first goal of the season on a shot that just finds it's way through a mess of bodies.
March 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
▪️The 4th goal was textbook Omaha.
▪️Great angling by Bremer forces a turnover. Great stick by Glynn causes another turnover.
▪️UND's dzone structure collapses
▪️So perfect that Krenzen gets his first goal of the season on a shot that just finds it's way through a mess of bodies.
▪️Great angling by Bremer forces a turnover. Great stick by Glynn causes another turnover.
▪️UND's dzone structure collapses
▪️So perfect that Krenzen gets his first goal of the season on a shot that just finds it's way through a mess of bodies.
▪️I have no idea if this was offside or not.
▪️The review took a while, so I have to assume the replay wasn't clear either.
▪️Either way, the Mavs forecheck continues to cause UND trouble. UND wants to stretch their Fs on these breakouts.
▪️It puts a ton of pressure on their D to make a play.
▪️The review took a while, so I have to assume the replay wasn't clear either.
▪️Either way, the Mavs forecheck continues to cause UND trouble. UND wants to stretch their Fs on these breakouts.
▪️It puts a ton of pressure on their D to make a play.
March 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
▪️I have no idea if this was offside or not.
▪️The review took a while, so I have to assume the replay wasn't clear either.
▪️Either way, the Mavs forecheck continues to cause UND trouble. UND wants to stretch their Fs on these breakouts.
▪️It puts a ton of pressure on their D to make a play.
▪️The review took a while, so I have to assume the replay wasn't clear either.
▪️Either way, the Mavs forecheck continues to cause UND trouble. UND wants to stretch their Fs on these breakouts.
▪️It puts a ton of pressure on their D to make a play.
▪️For better or worse, UND plays a high risk/reward style of play.
▪️I'm not sure if intentional or not, but the Mavs were in a ♦️ and not necessarily man coverage.
▪️There's a 2 on 1 net front if UND gets the puck on net...or a 2 on 0 the other way if they don't.
▪️I'm not sure if intentional or not, but the Mavs were in a ♦️ and not necessarily man coverage.
▪️There's a 2 on 1 net front if UND gets the puck on net...or a 2 on 0 the other way if they don't.
March 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
▪️For better or worse, UND plays a high risk/reward style of play.
▪️I'm not sure if intentional or not, but the Mavs were in a ♦️ and not necessarily man coverage.
▪️There's a 2 on 1 net front if UND gets the puck on net...or a 2 on 0 the other way if they don't.
▪️I'm not sure if intentional or not, but the Mavs were in a ♦️ and not necessarily man coverage.
▪️There's a 2 on 1 net front if UND gets the puck on net...or a 2 on 0 the other way if they don't.
▪️One of the skills the Mavs has developed over the year has been getting pucks off the wall and into high danger areas.
▪️Watch 03 Stange at the start of the clip. He reads the rim and gets below the goal line to support the cycle.
▪️25 Mitchell goes from F3 to attacking soft space.
▪️Watch 03 Stange at the start of the clip. He reads the rim and gets below the goal line to support the cycle.
▪️25 Mitchell goes from F3 to attacking soft space.
March 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
▪️One of the skills the Mavs has developed over the year has been getting pucks off the wall and into high danger areas.
▪️Watch 03 Stange at the start of the clip. He reads the rim and gets below the goal line to support the cycle.
▪️25 Mitchell goes from F3 to attacking soft space.
▪️Watch 03 Stange at the start of the clip. He reads the rim and gets below the goal line to support the cycle.
▪️25 Mitchell goes from F3 to attacking soft space.
▪️ Just like their season, the Mavs came out flying, hit adversity, and fought their way back.
▪️ They struggled, adjusted, and found their game when it mattered most. No quit. The culture speaks for itself.
▪️Goddam, I love this game.
▪️ They struggled, adjusted, and found their game when it mattered most. No quit. The culture speaks for itself.
▪️Goddam, I love this game.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ Just like their season, the Mavs came out flying, hit adversity, and fought their way back.
▪️ They struggled, adjusted, and found their game when it mattered most. No quit. The culture speaks for itself.
▪️Goddam, I love this game.
▪️ They struggled, adjusted, and found their game when it mattered most. No quit. The culture speaks for itself.
▪️Goddam, I love this game.
▪️ The overhead and on-ice cams confirmed it—ASU tipped the puck above the shoulder.
▪️ Wild that it was called a good goal live, but it is what it is.
▪️ Huge call by the staff.
▪️ Wild that it was called a good goal live, but it is what it is.
▪️ Huge call by the staff.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ The overhead and on-ice cams confirmed it—ASU tipped the puck above the shoulder.
▪️ Wild that it was called a good goal live, but it is what it is.
▪️ Huge call by the staff.
▪️ Wild that it was called a good goal live, but it is what it is.
▪️ Huge call by the staff.
▪️ The call? No goal.
▪️ Baxter exploded—louder than most goals. Absolutely insane.
▪️ Baxter exploded—louder than most goals. Absolutely insane.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ The call? No goal.
▪️ Baxter exploded—louder than most goals. Absolutely insane.
▪️ Baxter exploded—louder than most goals. Absolutely insane.
▪️ ASU seemingly ties it on a deflected point shot—looked like a high stick.
▪️ The stakes: A high-stick call requires a challenge. UNO has no timeout. A failed challenge means a penalty.
▪️ If the challenge is unsuccessful, then ASU gets a PP and a chance to win in regulation.
▪️ They challenge.
▪️ The stakes: A high-stick call requires a challenge. UNO has no timeout. A failed challenge means a penalty.
▪️ If the challenge is unsuccessful, then ASU gets a PP and a chance to win in regulation.
▪️ They challenge.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ ASU seemingly ties it on a deflected point shot—looked like a high stick.
▪️ The stakes: A high-stick call requires a challenge. UNO has no timeout. A failed challenge means a penalty.
▪️ If the challenge is unsuccessful, then ASU gets a PP and a chance to win in regulation.
▪️ They challenge.
▪️ The stakes: A high-stick call requires a challenge. UNO has no timeout. A failed challenge means a penalty.
▪️ If the challenge is unsuccessful, then ASU gets a PP and a chance to win in regulation.
▪️ They challenge.
▪️ I can’t remember Baxter being louder. It was insane.
▪️ Up 3-2 late, the Mavs took a penalty. Reidler stayed calm, made sharp reads, and the PK stepped up to kill it off.
▪️ Omaha iced the puck, just missing the open net. Omaha timeout.
▪️ Up 3-2 late, the Mavs took a penalty. Reidler stayed calm, made sharp reads, and the PK stepped up to kill it off.
▪️ Omaha iced the puck, just missing the open net. Omaha timeout.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ I can’t remember Baxter being louder. It was insane.
▪️ Up 3-2 late, the Mavs took a penalty. Reidler stayed calm, made sharp reads, and the PK stepped up to kill it off.
▪️ Omaha iced the puck, just missing the open net. Omaha timeout.
▪️ Up 3-2 late, the Mavs took a penalty. Reidler stayed calm, made sharp reads, and the PK stepped up to kill it off.
▪️ Omaha iced the puck, just missing the open net. Omaha timeout.
▪️ Minutes later, coincidental penalties made it 4-on-4—a huge advantage for ASU.
▪️ Ludtke had struggled with retrieval reads, but not this time. He saw ASU jumping the drop pass and kept it.
▪️ 2-on-1… with two defensemen.
▪️ ASU’s goalie challenged far out. Shot blocker side for the rebound.
💥
▪️ Ludtke had struggled with retrieval reads, but not this time. He saw ASU jumping the drop pass and kept it.
▪️ 2-on-1… with two defensemen.
▪️ ASU’s goalie challenged far out. Shot blocker side for the rebound.
💥
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ Minutes later, coincidental penalties made it 4-on-4—a huge advantage for ASU.
▪️ Ludtke had struggled with retrieval reads, but not this time. He saw ASU jumping the drop pass and kept it.
▪️ 2-on-1… with two defensemen.
▪️ ASU’s goalie challenged far out. Shot blocker side for the rebound.
💥
▪️ Ludtke had struggled with retrieval reads, but not this time. He saw ASU jumping the drop pass and kept it.
▪️ 2-on-1… with two defensemen.
▪️ ASU’s goalie challenged far out. Shot blocker side for the rebound.
💥
▪️ Broberg set up the game-tying goal with a smart read—forechecking his own dump-in while his linemates changed.
▪️ ASU’s goalie got caught extended outside his post, and was forced to open the five-hole.
▪️ Tie game.
▪️ ASU’s goalie got caught extended outside his post, and was forced to open the five-hole.
▪️ Tie game.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️ Broberg set up the game-tying goal with a smart read—forechecking his own dump-in while his linemates changed.
▪️ ASU’s goalie got caught extended outside his post, and was forced to open the five-hole.
▪️ Tie game.
▪️ ASU’s goalie got caught extended outside his post, and was forced to open the five-hole.
▪️ Tie game.
▪️The Mavs were starting to connect the dots. The flow opened up. This is how ASU wants to play, but it benefits trailing Omaha.
▪️Just an example but ASU is still allowing a 2-1-2 forecheck with the lead late in the game. Still thinking offense first.
▪️Just an example but ASU is still allowing a 2-1-2 forecheck with the lead late in the game. Still thinking offense first.
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
▪️The Mavs were starting to connect the dots. The flow opened up. This is how ASU wants to play, but it benefits trailing Omaha.
▪️Just an example but ASU is still allowing a 2-1-2 forecheck with the lead late in the game. Still thinking offense first.
▪️Just an example but ASU is still allowing a 2-1-2 forecheck with the lead late in the game. Still thinking offense first.