OXFORD — David Deputy lingered in front of the net just long enough for the puck to find him. It was a familiar place for the freshman on a night when everything seemed to click.
Deputy recorded the first hat trick of his career on Saturday, scoring twice on power plays and once shorthanded to lift Miami to a 6-2 victory over Omaha and complete a weekend sweep at Steve “Coach” Cady Arena inside the Goggin Ice Center.
The performance fueled Miami’s first conference sweep since February 2022 and capped a dominant weekend for the RedHawks (14-8-2, 5-7-2 NCHC), who outscored the Mavericks 9-2 over two nights. Miami has won four of its last five games.
“Some nights you just have it,” Deputy said. “This team makes it really easy to have those nights. It could be anyone in the lineup — tonight just happened to be my night.”
Deputy opened the scoring at 5:21 of the first period, redirecting a Casper Nassen feed off a Michael Quinn setup on a power play. Just over a minute later, Miami doubled its lead when Bradley Walker sent a long pass that Doug Grimes chased down and poked past Omaha goaltender Dawson Cowan.
Deputy struck again late in the period, tipping in a Quinn point shot through traffic for another power-play goal to give the RedHawks a 3-0 advantage after one.
His signature moment came midway through the second period while killing a penalty. After Michael Phelan forced the puck loose in the defensive zone, Ethan Hay pushed it ahead to Deputy, who broke in alone and finished cleanly to make it 4-0.
“I think we talk a lot about pressure on the PK,” Deputy said. “Hay made a great play to get that puck up to me. I’ve had a few breakaways this weekend that didn’t go in, so it was nice to finally see one go.”
Omaha answered with goals from Sean Tschigerl and Myles Hilman to cut the margin to 4-2 early in the third, but Miami responded almost immediately. Nicholas Mikan fired a shot from the slot that John Emmons cleaned up in front just 18 seconds later, restoring the three-goal cushion.
Maximilion Helgeson added an insurance goal late, diving to tuck in a rebound off a Quinn shot to cap the scoring.
Miami finished with a 40-21 edge in shots, went 2-for-4 on the power play, and added a short-handed goal in a performance that underscored the RedHawks’ growing confidence and depth.
Miami’s depth, discipline shine in sweep
The hat trick was the headline, but Miami’s performance Saturday night reflected something deeper — a team growing more connected, more disciplined and increasingly comfortable with how it wants to play.
The RedHawks controlled the pace for long stretches and leaned on special teams and depth to secure their first conference sweep in nearly two years.
“We loved our jump from the opening faceoff,” Miami coach Anthony Noreen said. “You could feel it right away. That’s a really good hockey team we played, and we knew they’d have their pushes, but I thought our guys stayed on the gas all night.”
The RedHawks scored twice on the power play, added a short-handed goal and extended their streak to six straight games without allowing a power-play goal. Noreen credited that to preparation and buy-in.
“Coach Leo’s had a great plan from day one,” Noreen said. “But it’s the commitment from the guys. They understand when to pressure, when to stay patient, and they’ve really bought into it. That’s why it’s working.”
After Omaha cut the lead to 4-2 early in the third, Miami answered almost immediately. John Emmons scored just 18 seconds later, finishing a rebound in front after a shot from Nicholas Mikan, restoring the three-goal cushion and halting any momentum the Mavericks had begun to build.
Emmons’ goal was his first in nearly a year, and Noreen said it reflected the kind of effort plays the staff wants to reward.
“He’s a guy that does everything the right way,” Noreen said. “He works, he prepares, he’s intentional in practice. Those are the guys you love to see get rewarded.”
Maximilion Helgeson later added an insurance goal, diving to the net to finish a rebound, while Michael Quinn capped a three-assist night.
“I loved our depth,” Noreen said. “We rolled lines, we trusted guys, and everyone contributed. That’s when we’re at our best.”
Behind it all, goaltender Matteo Drobac continued his steady stretch, turning aside 19 shots and earning Third Star honors.
“He’s got confidence right now,” Noreen said. “You can feel it. He prepares the right way, and that confidence spreads through the team.”
Deputy’s rise mirrors Miami’s growing confidence
Deputy said Saturday night wasn’t just about his three-goal performance. It was about progress, patience and the payoff of believing in what Miami is building.
The freshman forward arrived in Oxford with expectations, but his path to this moment wasn’t immediate. Injuries slowed his start, and his role evolved as the season unfolded.
Now, as Miami pushes forward in NCHC play, Deputy’s emergence has become another sign of a program gaining traction.
“I think we’ve just been building,” Deputy said. “We talk about pounding the rock, doing the little things over and over. It’s starting to click now, but we know we have to go do it again next weekend.”
That mindset — steady, process-driven and team-focused — is exactly what Noreen has emphasized since taking over the program.
“He’s a kid who’s dreamed of being here,” said Noreen, who is in his second season at the helm. “He’s been through injuries, setbacks, all of it, and he’s never wavered. You’re starting to see what he’s capable of, and it’s not just the goals — it’s the pride he plays with.”
Deputy’s hat trick made him the second RedHawk this season to record one, but his impact went beyond the scoresheet. He logged key penalty-kill minutes, created turnovers and consistently pressured Omaha’s defense.
“I think our buy-in has been huge,” Deputy said. “Everyone’s committed to the details, to playing the right way. When you do that, things start to fall into place.”
The collective belief has shown up across the lineup. Miami has killed penalties at an elite rate over the past two weeks, received scoring from every line and played with a confidence that was missing last season when the RedHawks finished 3-28-3.
“We’re seeing guys take pride in doing the hard things,” Noreen said. “Blocking shots, finishing checks, making the right play instead of the easy one. That’s how you win games in this league.”
With the sweep, Miami collected its 14th victory on the season — the highest win total since 2015–16 — and will take momentum into an upcoming road series at St. Cloud State.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” Deputy said. “It’s one weekend. We’ve got to keep doing it again and again. That’s how you build something real.”
