Omaha opened the 2026 calendar year with a two-game non-conference road series at Lynah Rink, but the Mavericks were unable to solve No. 17 Cornell, falling in a pair of tightly contested games that swung on overcoming early deficits and third-period execution.
Friday’s opener featured dramatic momentum shifts and a four-goal Omaha response after a rough start, while Saturday’s finale saw the Mavericks control much of the third period before Cornell found the deciding goal.
Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
No. 17 Cornell 6, Omaha 4
Omaha erased an early three-goal deficit and briefly seized control Friday night, but Cornell’s special teams and third-period finish lifted the Big Red to a 6-4 win in the series opener.
Cornell dominated the opening stretch, scoring three times in the first 9:16 and jumping out to a 3-0 lead while holding a 14-7 edge in shots in the opening period. George Fegaras opened the scoring at 4:19, followed by a power-play goal from Xavier Veilleux and an even-strength tally from Aiden Long.
The Mavericks responded late in the first. Samuel Huo cut the deficit to 3-1 at 13:57, finishing a play set up by Trevor Wong and Spencer Sova. Just over three minutes later, Jacob Slipec buried a chance from Myles Hilman to make it 3-2 heading into the intermission.
Omaha carried that momentum into the second period. Wong tied the game just 2:20 in, poking home a rebound, and Tyler Rollwagen gave the Mavericks their first lead of the night with a power-play goal at 9:44, completing a four-goal Omaha run.
Cornell regrouped in the third period. Gio DiGiulian tied the game on the power play at 3:43, and Reegan Hiscock put the Big Red back in front at 10:09 following an Omaha turnover. Long sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal at 18:08.
Dawson Cowan made 37 saves in net for Omaha, facing a 43-shot Cornell attack. Wong (1G, 1A) and Sova (2A) led the Mavericks offensively.
Period scoring:
Omaha 2-2-0 = 4
Cornell 3-0-3 = 6
Key storyline:
Omaha’s four-goal response flipped the game, but Cornell’s special teams and third-period execution proved decisive.
Goaltending:
• Dawson Cowan (Omaha): 37 saves on 43 shots
• Alexis Cournoyer (COR): 14 saves on 18 shots
Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026
No. 17 Cornell 3, Omaha 2
Saturday’s finale followed a familiar script, as Omaha battled back from an early deficit and controlled much of the third period, but Cornell again capitalized on a key moment to secure a 3-2 win and complete the sweep.
Cornell struck twice in the first period, scoring at 1:39 and 10:49 to take a 2-0 lead. Omaha answered quickly the second time, as freshman Jérémy Loranger converted on the power play just 47 seconds later, ripping a one-timer from the faceoff circle off a feed from Luke Woodworth.
Loranger wasn’t finished. Midway through the second period, he tied the game 2-2 with another quick-release shot, this time at even strength, finishing a two-goal night after also scoring twice at Augustana on Dec. 20.
The Mavericks pushed early in the third period, outshooting Cornell 12-4 in the frame and generating sustained offensive pressure. But Jonathan Castagna broke the tie at 4:33, finishing a rebound to give Cornell the lead for good.
Omaha continued to press late, pulling Cowan and generating chances in the final minutes, but Remington Keopple and the Big Red defense held firm.
Omaha finished with a 27-25 advantage in shots on goal and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Cowan made 22 saves, while Loranger accounted for both Omaha goals.
Period scoring:
Omaha 1-1-0 = 2
Cornell 2-0-1 = 3
Key storyline:
Omaha controlled large stretches of the third period, but Cornell’s timely goal and defensive structure closed the door.
Goaltending:
• Dawson Cowan (Omaha): 22 saves on 25 shots
• Remington Keopple (COR): 25 saves on 27 shots
Weekend Themes & Notes
Early holes:
In both games, Omaha found itself chasing early after conceding multiple first-period goals, forcing the Mavericks to play from behind at Lynah Rink.
Loranger producing:
Freshman Jérémy Loranger scored both Omaha goals Saturday, giving him four goals on the season after recording his second two-goal game (Dec. 20 at Augustana).
Cowan putting in the work:
Cowan logged both starts, stopping 59 of 68 shots across the two games while facing consistent pressure.
Competitive margins:
Despite being outshot Friday, Omaha flipped the shot battle Saturday and pushed late in both games, with each contest ultimately decided by third-period goals.
Up Next…
Omaha returns to NCHC play on Friday, hosting St. Cloud State at Baxter Arena.
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