Gophers coach Don Lucia said on his WCCO-radio show on Monday evening that University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) this weekend is a much different opponent that UMass was last weekend.

"They have five of their top six forwards back," Lucia said, "who all scored 10-plus goals, their goalie returns and they have one of their top defenseman, [Eric] Olimb, is back. So they have a good corps.

"They will walk in and have a chance to be as good as any team in our league. It will be a great challenge for us."

The two top returning goal scorers back are Rich Purslow (14-13--27) and Alex Hudson (14-11--25). Terry Broadhurst (13-11--24) was right behind them. Then came Matt Ambroz (10-14--24) and Joey Martin (10-16--26).

UNO, coached by former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, is joining the WCHA this season after being in the CCHA for a decade or so.

"They are a big, physical team," Lucia said, referring to UNO which was 20-16-6 in 2009-10. "Near the end of last season they swept Michigan and split with Miami. Dean is familiar with the WCHA and what it takes to be successful. ... Our league is going to be competitive from top to bottom."

The biggest of the big Mavericks are 6-8, 200 Andrej Sustr, a freshman D from the Czech Republic; 6-5, 225 Pasko Skarica, a senior D; 6-4, 228 Tony Turgeon, a freshman D from Grand Forks, and 6-4, 207 senior forward Ambroz of New Prague. Matt Ambroz is the older brother of Seth Ambroz, a Gophers recruit who is playing his third season at Omaha of the USHL.

Matt Ambroz, a Mavericks assistant captain, was named the tournament MVP as UNO beat Clarkson 8-0 and Rochester Institute of Technology 5-3 last weekend to win the Mutual of Omaha Stampede. He had three goals and two assists.

Lucia said the Gophers had a physical practice for a Monday, so his players can get used to it, especially with UNO coming.

Lucia said the 10 freshmen on the team have to play well, but he declined to single anyone out. "I don't like to tout anyone as the guy," he said. "They have to show me more."