Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics
By Bridget (Weide) Brooks
Omaha Hockey picked up its first two victories of the 2026-27 season over the weekend, sweeping Lindenwood University in a two-game non-conference series at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo.
The Mavericks (2-2-0) defeated the Lions 7-4 Friday before rallying from a two-goal deficit Saturday to earn a 4-3 overtime victory.
Omaha scored 11 goals over the weekend after managing just three in its season-opening series against Augustana. The Mavericks also scored their first three power-play goals of the season, added a shorthanded goal, and remained perfect on the penalty kill.
The wins came in different ways. Friday, Omaha overcame an early 2-0 deficit and scored four goals in the third period. Saturday, the Mavericks trailed 3-1 midway through the second period before scoring three unanswered goals, including the overtime winner.
Friday: Omaha 7, Lindenwood 4
Lindenwood jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Ty Nash at 9:18 and Noah Dziver at 11:47.
Parker Berge got Omaha on the board with his second goal of the season at 18:58, assisted by Marcus Broberg and Luke Woodworth.
The Mavericks tied the game at 13:05 of the second period when Broberg scored his first goal of the season on the power play, with assists from Trevor Wong and captain Marc Lajoie.
Junior forward Maxime Pellerin then gave Omaha its first lead of the night, scoring with just 14 seconds remaining in the period. Woodworth and Sean Tschigerl assisted on Pellerin’s first goal of the season.
Lindenwood tied the game 3-3 just 1:50 into the third period when Adam Raesler scored his fifth goal of the season.
But Omaha responded with four consecutive goals.
Pellerin scored his second goal of the night at 3:46, assisted by Maël Lavigne and Berge, to put the Mavericks back in front, 4-3.
Just 49 seconds later, Marcus Nguyen scored an unassisted goal to extend Omaha’s lead to 5-3. It was Nguyen’s first goal of the season and proved to be the game-winner.
Lajoie added a power-play goal at 8:16, assisted by Spencer Sova and Wong, giving Omaha a three-goal advantage.
Assistant captain Myles Hilman made it 7-3 with a shorthanded goal at 14:24, assisted by Joel Plante.
Lindenwood’s Andrew LeBlanc scored at 17:23 to make the final score 7-4.
Pellerin led Omaha with two goals, while Broberg and Lajoie each finished with a goal and an assist. Woodworth and Wong recorded two assists apiece.
The Mavericks outshot Lindenwood 37-34 and converted both of their power-play opportunities. Omaha also killed all three Lindenwood power plays.
Sophomore goaltender Dawson Cowan made his first regular-season start of 2026-27, stopping 30 shots to earn the victory.
Saturday: Omaha 4, Lindenwood 3 (OT)
The Mavericks needed another comeback Saturday, this time erasing a 3-1 deficit before winning in overtime.
Freshman forward Maël Lavigne opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 12:17 of the first period. Woodworth and Berge assisted on Lavigne’s second goal of the season.
Lindenwood answered less than a minute later when Chris Thibodeau scored at 13:10 to tie the game 1-1.
The Lions took control in the second period, scoring twice in less than six minutes. Ethan Zielke put Lindenwood ahead 2-1 at 5:43, and Brady McIsaac extended the lead to 3-1 at 11:25.
Omaha cut the deficit to one goal with just 24 seconds remaining in the period.
Freshman Logan Wormald scored his first collegiate goal at 19:36, assisted by Berge and Broberg, to make it 3-2 heading into the third period.
The Mavericks tied the game at 8:43 of the third when Woodworth scored his first goal of the season, with assists from Berge and Nguyen.
Omaha outshot Lindenwood 18-8 in the third period but couldn't get the go-ahead goal in regulation.
That set the stage for overtime.
At 2:29 of the extra period, Tschigerl scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Vincent Desjardins, to give Omaha the 4-3 victory and complete the weekend sweep.
Berge led the Mavericks with three assists, contributing to Lavigne’s power-play goal, Wormald’s first collegiate goal, and Woodworth’s game-tying goal.
Woodworth finished with a goal and an assist.
Omaha outshot Lindenwood 43-33, including 18-8 in the third period. The Mavericks went 1-for-3 on the power play and killed Lindenwood’s only power-play opportunity.
Freshman goaltender William Lacelle made 30 saves to earn his first collegiate victory.
Special Teams Make a Difference
After going 0-for-6 on the power play against Augustana, Omaha converted three of its five opportunities against Lindenwood.
The Mavericks scored twice on the power play Friday and once Saturday, improving their season total to 3-for-11 (27.3%).
Omaha’s penalty kill remained perfect through four regular-season games, successfully killing all four Lindenwood power plays. The Mavericks are now 11-for-11 on the penalty kill this season.
Hilman’s shorthanded goal Friday was another highlight of the weekend’s special teams performance.
The results were particularly encouraging considering Lindenwood entered the series having scored four power-play goals in its previous game against Air Force.
Pellerin Finds the Scoresheet
Pellerin entered the Lindenwood series without a point through Omaha’s first two regular-season games.
At Tuesday’s weekly media availability, he was asked how he handles stretches when the points aren’t coming, despite being one of the team’s most consistent offensive producers.
“Points are a thing, but they don’t always come,” Pellerin said. “Even though you can play a good game and get no reward or points for it, and you can play a really bad game and get a point.”
He emphasized controlling his play, paying attention to details, and continuing to do the right things.
Three days later, he scored twice in Omaha’s 7-4 victory.
Pellerin finished the weekend with two goals and 11 shots on goal, including a team-high seven shots Saturday.
By the Numbers
- Omaha scored 11 goals against Lindenwood after scoring three in its opening series against Augustana.
- The Mavericks outshot Lindenwood 80-67 over the two games.
- Omaha went 3-for-5 on the power play (60%) and killed all four Lindenwood power plays.
- The Mavericks scored their first shorthanded goal of the season Friday, courtesy of Myles Hilman.
- Parker Berge finished the weekend with a goal and three assists for four points.
- Maxime Pellerin scored his first two goals of the season Friday and recorded 11 shots on goal over the weekend.
- Luke Woodworth recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in the series.
- Logan Wormald scored his first collegiate goal Saturday.
- Dawson Cowan and William Lacelle each recorded 30 saves in their respective victories.
- Omaha improved to 3-1-0 all-time against Lindenwood.
Up Next
Omaha opens NCHC play this weekend with a two-game road series against defending national champion Denver at Magness Arena.
Friday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, with Saturday’s finale set for 7 p.m. CT.
The Mavericks return to Baxter Arena Nov. 6-7 to face St. Cloud State. Friday’s game will feature the retirement of former Maverick Jake Guentzel’s No. 20 jersey, the first jersey retirement in Omaha Athletics history.
No comments:
Post a Comment