Omaha Hockey Opens NCHC Play at No. 3 Denver

by Jordan McAlpine | Oct 29, 2026 | Omavs Hockey

Fans enter Baxter Arena and climb the stairs from the main entrance in a college hockey game.

Photo Credit: Eli Larson / Hurrdat Sports

Omaha hockey opens NCHC play this weekend against the reigning national champions.

The Mavericks are coming off a sweep at Lindenwood, including an overtime win on Saturday, and will now open conference play at Denver.

Here’s what you need to know before the puck drops.

Omaha (2-2-0, 0-0-0) at No. 3 Denver (3-2-1, 0-0-0)

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. CDT
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. CDT
Both games played at Magness Arena in Denver, Colo.

Omaha
Conference: NCHC
Head Coach: Mike Gabinet (10th season, 149-157-19)
Point Leader: Parker Berge, D, Sr. (2-4-6)
Between The Pipes: Will Lacelle, Fr. (1-2-0, .928 save percentage, 2.58 GAA)

Denver
Conference: NCHC
Head Coach: David Carle (9th season, 211-87-21)
Point Leader: Clarke Caswell, F, So. (0-8-8)
Between The Pipes: Tyler Krivstov, Jr. (2-2-1, .894 save percentage, 2.41 GAA)

All-time series: Denver leads, 44-14-6
Last matchup: Feb. 14, 2026 — Denver 3-1 win at Baxter Arena

Last Time Out

Omaha earned its first two wins of the season last weekend at Lindenwood. The Mavericks erased an early 2-0 deficit on Friday, scored seven of the next eight goals, and opened the series with a 7-4 win.

Sean Tschigerl scored 2:29 into overtime on Saturday, lifting the Mavericks to a 4-3 win and the sweep.

Maël Lavigne, Logan Wormald and Luke Woodworth scored Omaha’s first three goals, Parker Berge had three assists, and Will Lacelle made 30 saves, en route to his first NCAA win. Omaha also erased a two-goal deficit on Saturday, as the Mavs trailed 3-1 late in the second period.

“We felt like we were winning that game no matter what,” Wormald said. “We had a not-so-good second period, and (Gabinet) came in and talked to us, and the word throughout the room was that we’re winning this game. And we went out and did that. So, just the belief around the room is super high and we’re doing our best not to turn on each other.”

Omaha v Manitoba HKY | October 7, 2026 | Hurrdat Sports

Omaha scored three power-play goals and netted a short-handed tally in its sweep at Lindenwood. “Had to come from behind on both games and really liked the resilience of the group to find a way to get two big wins on the road against a team that split in all of their previous series,” Gabinet said. Photo by Brandon Tiedemann.

Now the Mavericks will try to carry the momentum into NCHC play.

“Any weekend is a big weekend, but when you’re playing the defending national champions and getting into NCHC play, it ramps up even more,” Gabinet said. “You can tell it’s been a focused week of practice and we’ll be ready to go for this weekend.”

Scouting The Pioneers

Denver opened the season with a sweep at Alaska Anchorage, was swept by No. 2 Michigan, and went 1-0-1 against No. 17 Boston College last weekend. DU earned a 5-2 win over BC last Friday and skated to a shootout on Saturday.

Denver’s roster features 16 NHL draft picks and one of the nation’s top young defensive corps, including Daxon Rudolph, Ryan Lin and Blake Fiddler. Lin and Rudolph were first-round picks last summer, and Rudolph has seven points (2-5-7) through six games.

David Carle’s club allows just 2.5 goals and 21.7 shots per game, which ranks sixth nationally. They’ve been without goaltender Johnny Hicks (upper-body injury) their last five games, too. However, DU and Omaha are both averaging 3.5 goals per game.

The reignding national champs are 19-2-2 over their past 23 games, including a 16-0-1 stretch to close out last season’s title. Denver was picked first in the NCHC Preseason Media Poll and there’s once again no shortage of talent.

“The guys know what you need to do to be successful against a team like that,” Gabinet said. “Obviously ultra-talented with all the draft picks and all the high-quality players that they have. You have to decide where you want to give them the puck, that’s step number one. And then just playing to your identity and your strengths, and making sure you’re making it hard on them.”

“I’m expecting our hardest challenge yet,” Wormald added. “Watched a little bit of video throughout the week, and obviously expecting a highly paced team and one that wants to strike on transition.”

Maverick To Watch: Logan Wormald, F, Fr.

Omaha Maverick Logan Wormald (7) checks a defender during an exhibition against Manitoba on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Brandon Tiedemann.

Wormald is one of nine freshmen on Omaha’s roster, and he’s quickly impressed his coaches. Especially with some of Omaha’s injuries up front, Wormald has taken advantage of an early opportunity, and Gabinet said he can be trusted in any situation.

Wormald talked on Wednesday about his development from the Western Hockey League to where he is now, and the Langley, B.C., product was rewarded with his first NCAA goal on Saturday.

“I think he’s a really good hockey player,” Gabinet said. “A really, really intelligent hockey player. He’s competitive and he finds himself in the right spaces a lot of the time. Didn’t get on the score sheet the first few games, but if you watch his development closely, he’s a guy that just continues to make impacts in the right area.”

Opponent To Watch: Sam Harris, F, Sr.

Harris is tied for Denver’s team lead with four goals. The senior forward is coming off a 15-goal, 35-point season and has 96 points (56-40-96) over 134 career NCAA games.

Harris helped DU win titles in 2024 and 2026, and those 56 goals make him the NCAA’s active leading scorer.

Number To Know: 100%

Omaha is one of two NCAA teams with a perfect penalty kill, Vermont being the other. Omaha’s penalty kill is 11-for-11 to start the season. The Mavericks also have a short-handed goal, too, courtesy of Myles Hilman. Denver’s power play is 6-for-32 (18.8%) this season.