SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Omaha hockey team opened the 2018-19 season with a 3-3 tie at Union on Friday night at Frank L. Messa Rink.

The Mavericks never trailed in the game and took a 3-2 lead early in the third period on a power play goal by Ryan Galt but could not hold it.  They then staved off a Union power play in overtime to preserve the deadlock.

Tied 2-2 after two, Galt got loose in front of the Union net and tipped in a slap shot by Steve Spinner at 4:39.

Union tied the game for the final time when Cole Maier knocked in the rebound of a sharp-angle shot by Vas Kolias at 9:47.

UNO has several chances to win the game in overtime but twice, Spinner was denied by goaltender Jake Kupsky.  Dean Stewart also had a chance turned aside.

The game stated well for both sides as they traded chances in an up-and-down the ice start to the first period.  The Mavericks buried the first goal of the game when Zach Jordan dropped a pass to Stewart who fired a low shot to the far corner at 10:57.  It was the junior's first career goal.

The Mavericks doubled their lead on a power play early in the second period.  Mason Morelli stuffed home a pass from Jordan at 4:33 for his first goal of the season.

Union tied the game with goals a little more than three minutes apart from Liam Morgan and Taylor Brierley to make it 2-2 at the second intermission.

Evan Weninger made 27 saves while Kupsky finished with 26.

The two teams finish the series on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.

GAME NOTES:  

• In addition to Jordan, Fredrik Olofsson also had two assists.
• With the tie, the Mavericks are now 5-2-1 all-time against Union including a record of 1-1-1 at Union.
• Stewart's first goal came in his 61st career game.
• The Mavericks finished 2-for-3 on the power play while holding Union 0-for-4.
• Union held a 38-27 advantage in face offs.
• Omaha is now unbeaten in its last five season openers, going 4-0-1.  Their last lost in a season opener was to Bentley to start the 2013-14 season.