OMAHA, Neb. - In a matchup of 2021 NCAA tournament qualifiers, No. 17 Omaha dominated Lake Superior State statistically in nearly every category but the game score. Ultimately, it ended up with an overtime loss.

The Lakers (1-0) netted a game-tying goal with 1:04 left in regulation then edged the Mavericks 4-3 when Brandon Puricelli scored 3:08 into the 3-on-3 overtime period on opening night at Baxter Arena.

Omaha (0-1) outshot LSSU 40-19, won 67 percent of the 63 faceoffs and never trailed until Puricelli's game-winner. The final result soured a night in which the Mavericks kicked off their 25th season of hockey by returning their bull logo to the front of their jerseys and unveiling an NCAA tourney banner.

"Obviously not the outcome we wanted. I thought we deserved a better fate," Omaha coach Mike Gabinet said. "We carried the play for the majority of the game, but they're a good hockey team. They hung around and, ultimately, capitalized on their opportunities. And we didn't close them out."

The Mavericks jumped on Lake Superior State early, claiming a 2-0 advantage in the first 6:33. Matt Miller buried a rebound off a Jack Randl shot that hit a post 3:14 in. Newcomer Brannon McManus, a graduate transfer from Minnesota, scored his first Omaha goal on a penalty shot a short time later.

Puricelli answered for the Lakers 61 seconds later, then Dawson Tritt drew LSSU even later in the first.

The Mavericks moved in front on Chayse Primeau's goal, assisted by Taylor Ward and Kirby Proctor, with 1:37 left in the second. Omaha outshot the Lakers 34-12 through two periods, yet it only led LSSU 3-2.

Lake Superior State goalie Seth Eisele made 37 saves, keeping his team in the game. The final period of regulation was evenly played, with each team putting six shots on goal. Harrison Roy netted the equalizer with 64 seconds left to force the extra period. Puricelli scored on the only shot on goal in OT.

"Their goalie played extremely well," Gabinet said. "We were doing everything right, just not getting it on the scoreboard. That shows the small margin of error and how good you've got to play all the time."

Omaha limited the Lakers to a single-digit shot total in all three regulation periods, and junior netminder Isaiah Saville recorded 15 saves. Both teams were 0 for 3 on the power play in a relatively clean game.

The Mavericks seek a split when the teams wrap up the series at Baxter Arena Sunday at 4:07 p.m. Gabinet called the loss a tough one, but said his team needed to stick with the process and regroup.

"You've got to be upset about it, but it's adversity," he said. "And you know what? I don't mind it. It's not going to be an easy season. We've got some returning players, but it's not going to be an easy road."