Box Score DENVER, Colo. – Jake Guentzel had a goal and an assist, but No. 6 Denver pulled away for a 5-2 win over the No. 17 Omaha hockey team in the first game of an NCHC quarterfinal playoff series.

The Mavericks, who have lost seven straight, dropped to 18-16-1 while the Pioneers won their 10th in a row, improving to 22-8-5.  They have won all five meetings with the Mavericks this season.

Denver broke open a scoreless game with a three-goal outburst to start the second period.  Trevor Moore, Troy Terry and Colin Staub all tallied in the first 3:10 of the stanza to stake the Pioneers to a 3-0 lead.

The Mavericks chipped away to draw to within one at intermission.  First on a power play, Luc Snuggerud carried the puck behind the net and fed a pass in front to Guentzel who banked the puck in off goalie Tanner Jaillet.

Then at 17:58 of the period, Guentzel threw a nifty pass across the DU zone to Brian Cooper who carried the puck in deep before throwing a backhander past Jaillet.  It was his fifth goal of the season, tying a career best.

UNO's comeback hopes were thwarted in the third when Danton Heinen scored his first of two goals on a shorthanded rush at 8:06.  He zipped a shot over Kirk Thompson's shoulder for his 16th goal of the year.  

Heinen added an empty netter in the final minute to close the scoring.

Thompson took the loss, making 15 saves on 19 shots.  Jaillet made 29 saves as the Mavericks outshot the Pioneers, 31-20.  

Game two of the series is Saturday at 8:06 p.m. CT.  The Mavericks will need to win to force a deciding game three on Sunday.