OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha Hockey (7-9-0, 4-4-0 NCHC) plays its final game before the calendar turns to 2025 when it hosts U Sports's Manitoba (3-13-0) in an exhibition game on the Kemp Ice at Baxter Arena on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 2:07 p.m. CT. You can listen to the game on the Varsity app or 1290 KOIL AM and stream it on NCHC.tv.
The Mavericks hit the ice for their first game since it capped off a two-game series on Saturday, Dec. 14, with a 2-1 victory over independent Lindenwood at Baxter Arena.
Sophomore forward Charlie Lurie tied the conference lead for that weekend as he recorded three points (1G-3A), including two assists in the 2-1 victory on Saturday. Lurie was named the NCHC's Forward of the Week for Dec. 9-15. The Mavericks have been awarded four NCHC weekly honors in 2024-25 following Lurie's hardware.
Freshman goaltender Kevin Reidler also picked up his first win in an Omaha sweater in the 2-1 victory, giving up one goal and making 29 saves in his second career start, and first on Baxter Arena's Kemp Ice.
Several Mavericks have found a rhythm midway through November, and the team has been able to bury the puck in between the pipes. Since Nov. 15, Omaha is second in the NCHC in goals scored (28), which ranks in the top 15 nationally.
Junior forward Cam Mitchell enters the exhibition with four goals since scoring his first of the season on Nov. 22 against Miami. Mitchell's four goals are tied for fourth in the NCHC since Nov. 22.
Once again, Omaha went another home series without giving up a power play goal on its home ice. The Mavericks have allowed only one goal on an opponent's power play opportunity this season on the Kemp Ice at Baxter Arena. Omaha is one of eight teams nationally that have given up only one power play goal at home and one of two in the NCHC (Western Michigan).
The Mavericks' 95.2 penalty kill percentage at home also ranks first in the conference and second nationally.
Junior goaltender Simon Latkoczy has started 14 of 16 games this season and found success in several categories between the pipes for the Mavericks. Latkoczy's 423 saves are the second-most through a goaltender's first 14 games of a single season in NCHC history.
Manitoba begins a four-game road trip against midwestern NCAA opponents in Omaha on Sunday. Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4, the Bisons will play at Omaha, Minnesota State and Bemidji State and close the trip against fellow NCHC program North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D. Manitoba has played one NCAA Div. I opponent in 2024-24 to date, when it lost to Minnesota Duluth 2-7 at AMSOIL Arena on Sunday, Oct. 6, in Duluth, Minn.
The Bisons are led by forward Jonny Hooker in goals (10) and points (16), and forward Riley Stotts leads the team with 13 assists.
Following the exhibition against the Bisons, Omaha will head west to participate in the 2025 Cactus Cup in Palm Springs, Calif. The Mavericks are set to face (RV) Holy Cross on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. PT/9 p.m. CT. On Saturday, Jan. 4, Omaha will play either No. 10 Massachusetts Lowell or (RV) Michigan Tech, with time being announced closer to the game.
Season and single-game for Omaha hockey home games at Baxter Arena are on-sale now at OMavs.com/Tix.
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