Clark Cup Musings (round 3)
Bob Revermann should know the Omaha Lancers well.
For several weeks earlier in the season, the Lancers were just about the only team the Des Moines Buccaneers' starting goaltender faced. That's because Revermann was the third-string goaltender for the Lancers before he came to the Bucs in a mid-season trade. Except for a December exhibition game against the Lincoln Stars, Revermann's only action in Omaha came during practice.
With Dennis Bassett and Tony Zasowski holding the top two goaltending spots on the Lancer roster, Omaha dealt Revermann to the Bucs. Since arriving in Des Moines, Revermann has been the USHL's top goaltender. After posting a league-best 1.62 goals against and a 93.8 percent save percentage during the regular season, Revermann ranks first in both goals against and save percentage in the postseason. Through seven playoff games, Revermann has posted a 1.70 goals against average and a 94.0 percent save percentage.
Even more intimidating than Revermann's numbers is the Bucs' winning streak. Des Moines is perfect in the post-season, sweeping Green Bay in the first round and Lincoln in the second round. Counting the end of the regular season, the Bucs have won 11 in a row and 16 of their last 18.
Looking at those numbers, Omaha does not have much reason for optimism. However, the Lancers have their own streak going, winning 8 of their 10 playoff games to date, and 15 of their last 20 dating back to the regular season. More importantly, the Lancer power play has been effective an amazing 38.33 percent of the time in the postseason, scoring 23 goals on 60 opportunities. And while Des Moines has the USHL's best penalty killing in the post-season (91.66 percent), the Bucs were seventh in that category during the regular season (81.5 percent). In order for the Lancers to win this series, they will need their power play to be operating in top form.
Both teams have plenty of offenisve weapons. For Des Moines, Peter Fregoe, Jeremy Vokes, and Eric Maksimenko have done most of the damage in the playoffs. Through the first 8 games, Fregoe has 8 goals and 6 assists, Vokes has 7 goals and 6 assists, while Maksimenko has 6 goals and 7 assists.
Nate Mauer has picked his game up a level in the playoffs, leading the Lancers with 7 goals and 7 assists in 10 playoff games. Chad Theuer has added 3 goals and 8 assists, while Neil Breen has 4 goals and 6 assists.
While both teams seem to be peaking at the right time, the Lancers have struggled with the Bucs for the past couple of years, dating back to Des Moines' upset of Omaha in the first round of the 1996 playoffs. In addition, Des Moines entered the postseason with a berth in the national tournament wrapped up, meaning their sole focus was getting to the Clark Cup. That's still one step away from being accomplished. Omaha, on the other hand, had two goals: win the Clark Cup and make the national tournament. By going to the finals and facing Des Moines, who has already captured a birth in the national tournament by virtue of winning the Anderson Cup, the Lancers have already accomplished one of their goals. This could work in Des Moines' favor, as the Lancers have a higher likelihood of a letdown. Don't count on it, however. Omaha is playing its best hockey of the season, and there's no reason to believe that won't continue in the finals.
PREDICTION: Two months ago, this could have been a relatively easy sweep for the Bucs. Omaha was struggling, and did not look like a team that would make a run at the Clark Cup. The Lancers have stepped up their game in the playoffs, but so have the Bucs. PREDICTION: Des Moines in 6.
March 30, 1998
