Omaha hockey earned its first win of the season Friday night at Lindenwood, 7-4.
Maxime Pellerin netted his first two goals of the season, Dawson Cowan made 30 saves and the Mavericks scored four third-period goals en route to the road win.
“It was a hard-fought win and I thought our group showed great resiliency,” head coach Mike Gabinet told Hurrdat Sports. “It was nice to see us settle into our game plan and stick with it, especially when things got challenging. I’m happy for the guys and proud of the way they battled to get the win.”
Gabinet’s club fell behind early and Lindenwood held a 2-0 lead late in the first period. However, Parker Berge scored with 1:02 left in the frame, and Omaha scored six of the next seven goals.
Six different Mavericks lit the lamp,12 players registered a point, and four Mavericks — Marcus Broberg, Marc Lajoie, Pellerin and Luke Woodworth — turned in multi-point efforts.
Omaha also capitalized on a pair of power-play chances and went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Myles Hilman scored Omaha’s first short-handed goal of the season, too. Hilman’s goal came with 5:36 left and made it 7-3.
Despite allowing a goal in the final minutes, Cowan made 11 third-period saves and stopped 30 of the 34 shots he saw on the night. After Will Lacelle played the entire Augustana series, Cowan received his first start of the season, and the sophomore earned his fifth career win. It’s also Omaha first-ever win at Lindenwood. The Mavericks are now 2-1-0 all-time against the Lions.
Omaha (1-2-0) and Lindenwood (3-4-0) will finish their series on Saturday. Game 2 is set for another 7 p.m. start at Centene Community Ice Center and will be available on The Varsity Network and FloHockey.
The Mavericks head to Denver next weekend to open NCHC play. Stay tuned to Hurrdat Sports all season as Avarie Howard and Jordan McAlpine provide Omaha hockey coverage.
