KALAMAZOO, Mich. – No. 14 Omaha nearly wiped out a three-goal deficit before falling 4-2 to the nation's hottest team Friday in a National Collegiate Hockey Conference series opener at Lawson Arena.

The Mavericks (12-5) kept the pressure on after Jack Randl's goal with 11:11 remaining pulled them within 3-2 until Ethen Frank's empty-net tally secured a seventh consecutive win for the No. 4 Broncos.

Western Michigan (13-4) struck quickly as Tim Washe scored off a turnover just 2:21 in. Luke Grainger converted on a penalty shot five minutes later, then Frank added a power-play goal to open the second.

Omaha turned the tide after, outshooting the Broncos 23-15 over the final two periods to pull close.

"I liked our effort. I thought our guys competed hard all night and carried the play in the last two periods," Maverick coach Mike Gabinet said. "It shows the character of the group to stick with it, especially when they get that one on the power play to start the second period."

Taylor Ward got Omaha on the scoreboard when he skated through the WMU defense and beat goalie Brandon Bussi with a wrist shot during a power play 6:43 into the second. It remained 3-1 until Kevin Conley fed Randl midway through the third to pull the Mavericks with one. Omaha had chances after.

"We stuck with it and just kept chipping away," Gabinet said. "That's how we have to play all the time. Tonight, we just ran out of time. I think if we'd have had another five minutes, we'd have tied up the game."

The two teams meet again Saturday in the final game before the holiday break. It will be the last time the Mavericks, now 3-4 in the NCHC, and Broncos, 6-2 in league play, square off in the regular season.