Mavericks’ Season Ends with Quarterfinal Sweep at North Dakota
Omaha's 2025-26 season came to an end Saturday night as North Dakota swept the Mavericks in two games in the NCHC Quarterfinals at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
The Mavericks jumped out to early leads in both games but couldn’t slow one of the nation’s top teams, falling 5-3 Friday before dropping Saturday’s elimination game 5-1. Omaha finishes the season with a 12-24 overall record after earning the conference’s final playoff berth on the final weekend of the regular season.
Friday: Fast Start Fades in Five-Goal Loss
The Mavericks couldn’t have scripted a much better opening period.
After North Dakota struck first on a power-play goal from Cade Littler at 7:26, Omaha answered with back-to-back goals just 91 seconds apart to take the lead.
Samuel Huo tied the game at 11:06, finishing a play created by Ryan McCleary and Trevor Wong. Moments later, the Mavericks capitalized on the power play when Maxime Pellerin beat Jan Špunar with assists from Luke Woodworth and Jérémy Loranger to give Omaha a 2-1 advantage.
UND responded quickly after the first intermission.
Jack Kernan tied the game just 1:23 into the second period before Dalton Andrew gave the Fighting Hawks the lead less than two minutes later. Ollie Josephson extended the advantage to 4-2 midway through the period, and Mac Swanson added a power-play goal late in the second to make it 5-2.
Myles Hilman scored with four minutes remaining in regulation off assists from Pellerin and Aidan de la Gorgendiere, but Omaha couldn't draw any closer.
Pellerin finished with a goal and an assist, while Huo and Hilman also found the back of the net. Simon Latkoczy made 23 saves as North Dakota outshot the Mavericks 28-20.
Saturday: North Dakota Advances
Omaha again struck first in Saturday’s win-or-go-home matchup.
Pellerin opened the scoring just 4:19 into the first period, converting passes from Jacob Guevin and Woodworth to give the Mavericks an early 1-0 lead.
The Fighting Hawks answered midway through the opening period when Mac Swanson tied the game, then took control in the second.
Tyler Young scored 4:42 into the middle frame to put North Dakota ahead before Will Zellers extended the lead with just 28 seconds remaining in the period.
Omaha was unable to find the equalizer in the third period. Dylan James added an empty-net goal with 2:48 remaining before Swanson scored on the power play 48 seconds later to complete the 5-1 final.
Latkoczy finished with another 23 saves, while the Mavericks managed 15 shots on goal. Pellerin scored Omaha’s lone goal Saturday after recording a goal and an assist in Friday’s opener.
The Big Picture
Although the season ended in Grand Forks, Omaha extended its season by earning the eighth and final NCHC playoff berth on the final weekend of the regular season.
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