After missing out on recruit Sam Stange four years ago, Omaha hockey coach Mike Gabinet is happy he got a second chance.

Stange, who played four seasons at Wisconsin, used the transfer portal to join the Mavericks this season. The graduate forward is off to a positive start with four goals.

"He's been great," Gabinet said. "We didn't get him the first time but it's nice to have him the second time around."

Stange scored in both games against Arizona State last weekend as the Mavs got the road split. They'll host Miami on Friday and Saturday at Baxter Arena.

"I think he only played four games last year for Wisconsin," Gabinet said. "He's capable of much more, and he's already shown that."

It also helped that Stange played two seasons with Zach Urdahl, a former Badgers' teammate who now plays for UNO.

"They (Mavs) talked to me coming out of high school and in the initial recruiting process," Stange said. "So when they came back to me in the portal with that same desire, I was all for it."

Stange is one of 14 newcomers on the Mavs' 28-player roster. The team is off to a slow start (3-7, 1-3) while dealing with several injuries, including last year's leading scorer Tanner Ludtke.

"You never want to see injuries that we've had this early in the year," Stange said. "But it's also an opportunity for young guys to step in."

Stange, a 2020 fourth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, played 106 games with the Badgers. He finished with 13 goals and 16 assists.

He was held scoreless in the Mavs' Oct. 5 exhibition game against his former team, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Badgers at Baxter Arena. He scored his first goal while the Mavs were shorthanded Oct. 12 in a 2-1 overtime win over Minnesota.

Stange scored his second goal Oct. 25 at Minnesota State before lighting the lamp in both games against the Sun Devils.

The Mavs have needed his offense, scoring 18 goals in 10 games. UNO's 4-2 victory last Friday night was its first win in the conference.

"That was huge," Stange said. "We've been really close for a while and it wasn't the prettiest of wins, but that was big for the confidence."

The Mavs hope to keep it going against the RedHawks, who are 3-9-2 overall and 0-4 in the conference. They're in last place in the nine-team NCHC, two points behind UNO.

"They're going to be a hungry team, just like we are right now," Stange said. "Anybody in this conference is going to be a real test so we're focused on continuing a little bit of momentum."

Notes

" The Mavs, usually tough at home, are 0-4 at Baxter Arena.

" The RedHawks have lost six in a row, including two last weekend against visiting Minnesota Duluth.

" Miami is led by first-year coach Anthony Noreen, who previously guided the Tri-City Storm of the USHL.

" Zach Urdahl leads the Mavs in goals (5) and points (7).

" Matt Choupani and Colby Ambrosio lead Miami in scoring with 11 points each.

" Saturday is Military Appreciation Night.

" The Mavs are idle next weekend and will return to action Dec. 6-7 at St. Cloud State.