OMAHA, NE | In a world where rivals are hard to find, one rivalry stands out…Midwest High School Hockey rivalry.  The Omaha Junior Lancers will face off against the Kansas City Jets in the I29 Cup rivalry series as it takes place this weekend at the Ralston Arena.

 

This weekend is very important to both teams for a few reasons.

 

The number one reason is division placement – with a sweep Omaha can regain top spot in the Western division and with a sweep the other way Kansas City will take a solid lead on the division by separating themselves from Omaha by 8 points.

 

At the junior varsity level the tables are turned and it is the Omaha team that sits in first place and with a weekend sweep can be up by 9 points over the Jets and with the sweep by the Jets the Lancers could find themselves only up by 1 point but still leading.

 

“We hope to have a slight advantage at home with our home crowd.” stated coach Matt Sempeck “This will be our toughest test this year outside of the Dubuque Devils and we need to be ready for what they will send our way.” he said.

 

We spoke with the play by play voice of the Junior Lancer Hockey Network Mike Vlassakis about his thoughts on the Jets this weekend.

 

“What can you say about the Jets; they are always good – they don’t seem to rebuild – just reload.” Mike said.

 

“They are big, fast and strong, they do tricks with their sticks and have all of the tools in the toolbox that you need.  When the Jets bring the physical element to the game they are hard to beat and it doesn’t matter whose rink they are in.” commented Vlassakis.

 

The Jets so far at the varsity level this season have only lost to the Des Moines Capitals and the Dubuque Devils with which Omaha swept the weekend with the Capitals and lost two to the Devils at home.  At the JV level the Jets have lost four games and tied two; losing to Sioux City, DM Capitals, DM Oak Leafs and most recently to the Lincoln Junior Stars while Omaha has not lost yet and tied three games on last second goals by the opposition.

 

This weekend is the I29 Cup Rivalry series and both teams are excited not only for the rivalry series but what this means for their division title hopes and possibly league title hopes.

 

Omaha and Kansas City have always seemed to be natural rivals, we chatted with KC Jets Director of Hockey Operations Gary Scibona about what this means to have the rivalry series in place for his program.

 

“Omaha and Kansas City have always had a great rivalry – the Jets have only been in the program for seven years and one of those Omaha wasn’t in the program but when Omaha came back the rivalry has been strong, very strong.” stated Gary Scibona.

 

“Our management group with our president Mr. Mike Curry thought this would be a great thing to partner with Omaha on, not that our games need any extra incentive, but we thought it would be a nice addition to the series and give the players some extra travelling hardware to be proud of.” commented Scibona.

 

It should be a great weekend of hockey indeed.

 

Come out and support the Omaha Junior Lancers at the Ralston Arena this Saturday and Sunday as the Omaha Lancers (USHL) will be out of town.

 

Game times for Saturday are 3 pm (Junior Varsity) and 4:30 pm (Varsity) and Sunday’s games will be 8 am (Junior Varsity) and 9:30 am (Varsity).  Come out and support the boys in their quest to gain top spot in their division or extend their lead and try to get the league overall placing.

 

After this weekend the series will continue in Kansas City on the last weekend of the regular season February 21 and 22, 2015 at the KC Ice Center, Kansas City, KS.

 

The 2014-2015 season is here; don’t miss any of the action!  Full schedule for the Junior Lancer High School team can be found at the high school website www.omahajuniorlancers.com

 

Stay up to date on all of the news this coming season by following the Omaha Junior Lancers High School Hockey on their Twitter and Facebook pages.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OJLHockeyClub/

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juniorlancershsh

 

OJL LiveStream: http://www.omahahockey.com/page/show/1476055-ojl-livestream

 

Also join hosts Michael Vlassakis and Michael Hughes on the Red Line Show Tuesdays at 8 pm by going to the OJL LiveStream link above.  Don’t miss it. 

 

About the Omaha Junior Lancers High School Hockey

 

Our primary mission is to provide players with a quality and successful experience playing for the Omaha Junior Lancers program. The goal for our staff and players is to promote exciting community based enjoyment for all ages. By focusing on our primary goal, our Hockey Club and players will provide a positive example to the local youth as role models, through community involvement with local business and minor hockey, while practicing professional conduct at all times.