Miami is already hosting its fourth opponent of the young season, but after this weekend, the RedHawks won’t play another home game until Jan. 8.
MU and Omaha have faced off 71 times and the series is knotted at 32-32-7, although the RedHawks have won three of the last four.
VFG takes a look at the upcoming series:
WHO: Omaha Mavericks (3-4-1) vs. No. 17 Miami RedHawks (7-3).
WHERE: Cady Arena (3,019), Oxford, Ohio.
WHEN: Friday — 7:05 p.m.; Saturday — 6:05 p.m.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Tied, 32-32-7.
VIDEO STREAMING: NCHC.tv.
MIAMI RADIO: Miamiredhawks.com (Greg Waddell, PxP; Drew Davis, color).
NOTES: A freshman goaltender has made arguably the biggest impact on the Mavericks thus far in 2026-27.
William Lacelle forced his way into the starting job between the pipes after three seasons in the QMJHL and has posted a .927 save percentage, starting seven of Omaha’s first eight games this season.
His disproportionate goals-against average of 2.53 is due his workload — he is second in the NCHC in saves per games (32.9).
Meaning teams are hurling lots of pucks at him.
Another freshman is thriving on the defense corps, as Parker Berge has two goals and six assists for eight points, tied for the team lead in the latter two categories.
Berge turns 24 in January and played five seasons in the WHL and two full seasons and 123 games in the professional ECHL before joining the Mavericks.
Marc Lajoie is 1-4-5 from the blue line, and Marcus Broberg and Ryan McCleary have three points apiece.
Broberg is the younger brother of St. Louis Blues standout D-man — and former eighth-overall pick — Philip Broberg.
Up front, Luke Woodworth is off to a hot start, tied with Berge for the team lead in points with a pair of goals and six helpers, coming off a 21-point freshman season ijn 2025-26.
Maxime Pellerin has three goals and three assists and is also coming off a 20-plus point season with Omaha.
Anaheim draftee Sean Tschigerl also has a trio of markers, tied for tops on the Mavericks, and has set up two more for five points.
Center Trevor Wong has five points as well, all on assists.
The Mavericks have one more familiar name on their roster. Cameron Briere is the son of Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere. Cameron played for Miami coach Anthony Noreen at Tri-City.
As mentioned, Omaha allows a lot of shots. An average of 35.4, most in the NCHC and the seventh-highest SOG allowed in Division I.
So while the RedHawks may rack up the shots, their defense has been stingy in that department. Opponents are averaging just 21.9 SOG, the second-fewest in the NCHC only to North Dakota and the fifth-best clip in the NCAA.
Miami had lost 10 straight games to Omaha before entering 2025-26, but the RedHawks took three of four from the Mavericks last season.
