Omaha, NE | It was a proud week for MHSHL hockey at the USA Hockey High School National Championships in Omaha. Both the Omaha Jr. Lancers, representing Nebraska, and the Dubuque Saints, representing Iowa, sailed through the first three games of pool play undefeated.

In the Sunday morning quarterfinals, Omaha topped Sun Valley, Idaho, 7-4, and Dubuque defeated Dayton, Ohio, 4-1.

Both teams then advanced to a Sunday afternoon semifinal showdown against each other. Omaha earned a hard fought, 3-2 victory, when Will Volenec scored the game winning goal with only 2:34 left in the game.

Playing their sixth game in five days, Omaha faced off Monday morning against the Capistrano Coyotes of California in the title game. After falling behind 3-0 at the end of the first, the Jr. Lancers clawed back to tie the game in the third and force overtime. Omaha’s Trey Carlson then scored the game winner at 2:25 into overtime to clinch the championship title.

Omaha's win marks the second championship in the past three national tournaments for MHSHL teams. The Sioux City Metros won the title in 2018. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Congratulations to the Omaha Jr. Lancers, USA Hockey High School Division 2 National Champions, and to the semifinalist Dubuque Saints.