OMAHA, Neb. – The No. 17 Omaha hockey team overcame a three-goal first-period deficit to post a rousing 6-5 win over Western Michigan on Friday afternoon at Baxter Arena.

Junior Taylor Ward had a four-point night, and classmate Chayse Primeau had three as the Mavericks scored three goals in both the second and third periods to pull away from the Broncos and take both games of the pod series.

The Mavericks improved to 5-3-1 overall and 5-3-1-1-0 (1) in the NCHC, good for second place.  The Broncos dipped to 2-6-1 overall and 2-6-1-0-0 (0) in the conference, putting them in a tie with Miami for seventh.

INSIDE THE FIRST PERIOD
The Broncos got on the board just 1:27 into the first period on a blast by Michael Joyaux from the top of the slot.  Western Michigan would add goals from Chad Hillebrand and Brett Van Os later to lead 3-0 after one.

INSIDE THE SECOND PERIOD
The Mavericks got on the board just 1:10 into the period when Ward fired home a face off win by Primeau.

Omaha then trimmed the deficit to one while on a five-minute power play.  Ward set up Jack Randl for a one-timer from the left faceoff circle to make it 3-2.

The Broncos' Ethen Frank restored the two-goal lead at 8:19, but the Mavericks countered 1:21 later.  Ward again got loose down low and roofed a pass from Tyler Weiss for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.

INSIDE THE THIRD PERIOD
The Mavericks tied the game at 5:58 when Jonny Tychonick's shot from the right point deflected off the crowd in front and skittered by goalie Austin Cain.  It was his first goal as a Maverick.

Omaha's first lead of the game came on a patient play by Martin Sundberg.  He scooped up the rebound of a shot by Nolan Sullivan and outwaited Cain before slipping home a sharp-angle shot at 6:46 to make it 5-4.

Western Michigan's Paul Washe tied the game again, making a steal at center ice and scoring on a shorthanded breakaway at 10:38.

But exactly two minutes later, Ward brought the puck down the right wing and dropped a pass to Jason Smallidge.  He hammered it on goal, and Primeau was there to push home the rebound for the winner.

Isaiah Saville picked up the win in relief of starter Austin Roden, making 14 saves and allowing one goal in a little more than 31 minutes of action.

The Mavericks will close the pod with a faceoff against Colorado College on Monday, Dec. 21 at 12:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES:

• Ward has now scored 17 points against the Broncos (8-9-17) in 10 career games.
• Primeau has now scored points in three straight and seven of the last eight games (4-8-12).  He currently leads the team in scoring and is tied for first overall in the NCHC.
• Weiss also has points in three straight and five of the last six (1-5-6).
• The game marked the first time Saville has come into a game in relief rather than as the starter in 36 appearances.
• The Mavericks killed both Western Michigan power plays in the game and now have stopped 23 straight dating back to their first game with the Broncos on Dec. 3.

Three stars:  1. Taylor Ward/Omaha (2-2-4); 2. Chayse Primeau/Omaha (1-2-3); 3. Drew Worrad/Western Michigan (Two assists).