KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Omaha hockey team rode a three-goal first period to a 4-2 win over Western Michigan, earning a big split of their NCHC road series.
The Mavericks, who improved to 2-7-1 overall and 2-2-0-0/0 in the NCHC, won their first road game of the season. The Broncos fell to 4-6-0 overall and 1-3-0-0/0 in the conference.
For the ninth straight game, Omaha's opponent earned the first goal of the game. Austin Rueschhoff made a steal and beat
Evan Weninger just under the crossbar at 4:48.
The Mavericks tied the game 2:25 later during a power play.
Zach Jordan set up
Dean Stewart for a slap shot that found the net through a crowd in front.
Omaha earned its first lead of the weekend late in the period during a flurry of action in front of the Broncos' net.
Tristan Keck finally put back the rebound of a shot by
Jalen Schulz for his third goal of the year at 17:48.
With the two teams skating four-on-four, the Mavericks added to their lead just 33 seconds before the period ended.
Steven Spinner wristed home the rebound of a shot by
Ryan Jones for his first goal of the season.
The Broncos closed to within a goal at 4:45 of the third period when Mattias Samuelsson fired a quick shot past Weninger.
But the Mavericks continued to disrupt the fleet-footed Broncos with a strong forecheck and shot blocking. They iced the game when Jordan scored in to an empty net with 20 seconds remaining.
Weninger stopped 27 shots for his second win of the season while Western Michigan's Trevor Gorsuch stopped 26.
The Mavericks have a week off before hosting Arizona State on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24.
GAME NOTES:
- Dean Stewart, Steven Spinner and Zach Jordan all finished the game with a goal and an assist.
- In addition to his career-best third goal of the year, Stewart now has nine points, a new career best for points in a season.
- The Mavericks held an opponent to fewer than three goals for the first time this season.
- Omaha held a 22-7 edge in blocked shots for the game.
- The Mavericks again won the special teams battle, going 1-for-4 on the power play while killing off all three Western Michigan power plays. The Broncos were 0-for-9 on the power play in the series.
- The win was UNO's first on the road in a series finale since Feb. 25, 2017 when it won 3-0 at North Dakota.
Three Stars: 1.
Steven Spinner/UNO – 1 goal, 1 assist; 2.
Dean Stewart/UNO – 1 goal, 1 assist; 3. Mattias Samuelsson/WMU – 1 goal
