Game Preview: Omaha vs. the University of Manitoba (Exhibition), Dec. 30, 2025

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey closes out the 2025 calendar year with a home exhibition on Tuesday night, welcoming the University of Manitoba Bisons to Baxter Arena.

The exhibition is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 30, and serves as a tune-up for both programs before they open the second half of their respective seasons.

Omaha enters the game 7-11-0 overall, coming off a non-conference road series split at Augustana. 

Omaha scored eight goals over the weekend at Augustana, with Brett Hyland, Jérémy Loranger, and Marcus Nguyen each recording two goals in the series. Through 18 games, 19 of 26 different Mavericks have found the back of the net, with three players scoring five or more goals. Luke Woodworth leads Omaha with 13 points (3G, 10A), followed by Maxime Pellerin with 12 points (6G, 6A).

Freshman goaltender Dawson Cowan, a native of Warren, Manitoba, has appeared in seven games this season, recording 20 or more saves in each appearance while posting a 2.90 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

Tuesday’s matchup provides the Mavericks an opportunity to reset before opening 2026 with a road trip to Cornell on Jan. 2-3.

Manitoba arrives in Omaha 6-10-0 overall and 5-3-0 in away games. The Bisons are currently on a two-game losing streak after dropping games to the Mount Royal Cougars by scores of 8-2 and 6-2. Earlier this season, Manitoba faced North Dakota in preseason action, falling 7-0 on Oct. 4.

Tuesday’s game is part of a brief exhibition stretch for the Bisons. Following their visit to Omaha, Manitoba will head to Duluth, Minn., for an exhibition matchup against Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Friday, Jan. 2.

While the contest does not count toward the regular-season standings, exhibitions often provide extended looks at line combinations and in-game situations. For Omaha, it’s also a chance to sharpen details before NCHC play resumes in January.

Season Ticket Member Appreciation Night

Tuesday’s exhibition is also Season Ticket Member Appreciation Night.

Season ticket holders will have access to:

• 1,000 autographed posters, available on a first-come, first-served basis on the concourse near Section 120.

• A postgame skate on Kemp Ice, with free skate rentals available

• $2 beverages at the Blue Line Bar from doors open until puck drop (beer, soda, and water)

It’s a night built to thank the fans who help create one of the best atmospheres in college hockey.

When:

> Tuesday, Dec. 30 – 7 p.m. CT at Baxter Arena (Omaha, NE)

Radio:

The game will be broadcast live on 1290 AM and on The Varsity Network app. Pre-game coverage begins 30 minutes prior to face-off with the FNBO Pre-Game Show. “Voice of the Mavs” Mike Vaillancourt will have the play-by-play, with color commentary from Terry Leahy.

TV:

The game will be streamed on NCHC.tv ($).

Live Stats:

Live stats can be found here. 

On this episode of the Mavpuckcast, Jon and Jason talk about the Omaha Maverick Hockey team’s recent road trip to Augustana (includes their picks for “Player of the Week”). They talk about some Things You Missed at Midco Arena during the Augustana series. Jon and Jason have a “6-7” debate regarding the start time for Omaha Hockey games on Saturday nights. They wrap up the episode with their preview and predictions for Omaha’s upcoming hockey series against Cornell University at Lynah Rink in Ithaca, New York.

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Up Next:

Following Tuesday’s exhibition, Omaha opens the second half of the season with a road series at Cornell on Jan. 2-3 in Ithaca, N.Y. Both games will stream on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on 1290 AM and the Varsity Network app.