OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha Hockey (7-9-0, 4-4-0 NCHC) closed out the 2024 calendar year with a 5-0 exhibition win over Manitoba on Sunday before it continues regular season play after the new year at the Cactus Cup on Jan. 3 & 4 in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Mavericks got off to a hot start as freshmen forwards Alexei Van Houtte-Cachero and Myles Hilman crossed paths, nearly drawing out an X on the ice before connecting with junior defenseman Jacob Guevin, who drove the puck toward the middle and ultimately through the net. Guevin's goal gave Omaha a 1-0 lead 3:09 into the first period.
Another pair of freshmen attempted to extend the lead when defenseman Isaiah Norlin ripped a shot in front of the blue line but hit a pad. Forward Chase LaPinta was in the right place at the right time. He grabbed the rebound from Norlin's shot and pushed it behind him to graduate forward Sam Stange's stick, who made it 2-0 for the Mavericks 17 minutes into the middle frame, the second period's only goal.
The third period's trio of Omaha goals began as Manitoba's defenseman Kian Calder was called for tripping 13:55 into the third period, leading to a penalty shot opportunity for graduate forward Jimmy Glynn. The Lemont, Ill. native made it look easy when he fired off the highly anticipated shot, netting it from the left circle.
Norlin was able to to tack on his second point of the game when he scored a power play goal that made it 4-0 late in the game. However, the party was not over, as senior forward Zach Urdahl also wanted a multi-point game when graduate defenseman Aiden Gallacher connected with him from behind Omaha's cage. Urdahl then took it into the Manitoba zone and did the final damage for the Mavericks in 2024, capping off a 5-0 shutout victory in the exhibition.
Freshman forward Kevin Reidler played all 60 minutes and recorded a 20-save shutout over the Bisons. While an exhibition, this is Reidler's first career shutout.
The Mavericks continue to play against (RV) Holy Cross on Friday, Jan. 3, at Acrisure Arena to open the Cactus Cup in Palm Springs, Calif. Omaha will then play either Massachusetts Lowell or (RV) Michigan Tech on Saturday, Jan. 4.
