Box Score OMAHA, Neb. – The No. 20 Omaha hockey team got a late goal from Austin Ortega to forge a 4-4 tie with Vermont on Friday at Baxter Arena.

Ortega was able to slip the puck under goalie Stefanos Lekkas during a netmouth scramble for his team-leading third goal of the season at 15:16 of the third period.  The goal was upheld by video review.

The Mavericks had not trailed in the game until the Catamounts scored goals 51 seconds apart early in the third.  Craig Puffer scored at 9:29, and Conor O'Neil tallied on a power play at 10:20 to put UVM in front 4-3.

Following the five-minute, five-on-five overtime, the two teams played a three-on-three overtime as allowed by NCHC rules, a period that did not change to outcome of the game.  Jake Randolph fired home the rebound of a shot by Tyler Vesel just 10 seconds in to send the crowd home happy.  By rule, neither Vesel or Randolph got credit for any points.

The game marked the first time the Mavericks have hosted Vermont.  The two teams have played just three times including two games in Burlington, Vt. last year.  The Mavericks improved to 2-0-1 while Vermont is now 1-1-1.

The Mavericks broke on top at 6:51 of the first period when Justin Parizek tipped home a shot by Ian Brady from the right point.  The puck sailed over the shoulder of Lekkas for Parizek's first goal of the season.

UNO doubled the lead late in the period on a power play.  Vesel backhanded home the rebound of a shot by Steven Spinner at 16:32.  Both of Vesel's goals this season have come with the man advantage.

Vermont got on the board early in the second when Rob Hamilton's shot from the point banked in off the post for a power play goal at 3:24.

UVM then tied it when Jarrid Privitera came out of the penalty box, collected a pass from Craig Puffer and beat Evan Weninger on the breakaway.

Hamilton would later be tossed from the game for appearing to elbow Vesel in the head.  When UVM's Ori Abramson got caught for interference just 51 seconds later, the Mavericks had a five-on-three power play.  Luc Snuggerud would give UNO the lead back when his shot beat Lekkas through a screen at 18:47 of the second.

Evan Weninger made 24 saves in the tie while Lekkas stopped 32 shots.  Vesel finished the game with a goal and two assists.

The two teams finish the weekend series on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. at Baxter Arena.