OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha Hockey (2-4-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) will host No. 14 Western Michigan (3-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) in the season's NCHC opener on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 which is also the homecoming hockey game with both games starting at 7:07 p.m. on NCHC.tv.

The Mavericks and Broncos are fresh off bye weeks that will see both programs take the ice for the first time since Oct. 26.

Omaha last played against then-No. 18 Minnesota State, where it fell in both games on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26.

The Broncos come to town following a one-game weekend outing in a 2-4 loss in Chestnut Hill, Mass., against No. 2 Boston College, the only ranked opponent they have faced in 2024-25.

Friday night's contest between Omaha and its already fourth-ranked opponent in 2024-25 will mark the 70th matchup between the two programs.

The Mavericks lead the series 36-27-6 and are 19-9-2 here at Baxter Arena against the Broncos.

In the last game between the two teams on Feb. 10, Omaha escaped Kalamazoo, Mich., with a 3-2 victory in overtime courtesy of senior forward Zach Urdahl. Urdahl currently leads the Mavericks in goals (4) and points (5).

Former Maverick blueliner and current New York Ranger Victor Mancini assisted on Urdahl's game-winning goal last season. Mancini scored his own game-winning goal in overtime on Nov. 4, 2023, to beat Western Michigan 3-2.

The two programs split the season series 2-2-0 last season, including splitting the series 1-1 here at Baxter Arena and in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Omaha will follow up the home series this weekend with a trip to Tempe, Ariz. next Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10, against the newest NCHC program, Arizona State, at Mullett Arena.

Season and single-game for Omaha hockey home games at Baxter Arena are on-sale now at OMavs.com/Tix. 
 
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