Omaha Tops Manitoba 4-1 in Dec. 30 Exhibition at Baxter Arena
By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Omaha Hockey closed out the 2025 calendar year with a 4-1 exhibition win over the University of Manitoba on Tuesday night at Baxter Arena, earning its lone home victory of December in front of 7,613 fans.
The Mavericks used late-period execution and steady goaltending to build a three-goal cushion through two periods, then sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.
After a scoreless opening stretch, Omaha struck late in the first period to grab momentum. With 54 seconds remaining, the Mavericks went to the power play, and Aidan de la Gorgendiere capitalized just 32 seconds later, firing a shot through traffic from near the blue line to give Omaha a 1-0 lead.
That late-period finish became a theme.
Omaha doubled its lead midway through the second period when Tyler Rollwagen fed Myles Hillman at the side of the net, and Hillman beat Manitoba goaltender Braden Holt for his fourth goal of the season. Then, with just 13 seconds left in the period, Marcus Nguyen found Jeremy Loranger across the ice, and Loranger buried a one-timer to make it 3-0 heading into the second intermission.
Dawson Cowan continued his strong play from the previous weekend, stopping all 16 shots he faced over the first two periods. His best save came late in the opening frame, when he denied a Manitoba breakaway and followed it up with a save on the rebound attempt.
Will Craig took over in the third period and finished with five saves. Manitoba’s lone goal came during a 5-on-3 power play he faced just under 10 minutes into the third period.
Omaha restored its three-goal advantage late, as Jacob Slipec scored an empty-net goal with 2:15 remaining to close out the 4-1 final.
By the Numbers:
Omaha goals: de la Gorgendiere (PP), Hillman, Loranger, Slipec (EN)
Marcus Nguyen recorded two assists
Shots: Omaha 27, Manitoba 22
Power play: Omaha 1-for-3; Manitoba 1-for-6
Attendance: 7,613 at Baxter Arena
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