DENVER, Colo. – The No. 9/10 Omaha hockey team lost to Denver, 3-1, on Friday night in the first game of their weekend series at Magness Arena.

The Mavericks fell to 10-6-1 overall and 10-6-1-2-0 (1) in the NCHC, good for fourth place.  The Pioneers improved to 7-9-1 overall and 7-9-1-0-1 (1) in the conference, putting them fifth.

Inside the First Period
The game was scoreless through the first 20 minutes with each team getting a power play.  The Mavericks helped their cause with eight blocked shots.

Inside the Second Period
The Pioneers broke on top with a power play goal from Carter Savoie just 1:15 into the period.

Inside the Third Period
Denver doubled its lead early when Cole Guttman fired one past Isaiah Saville at 1:41.

The Mavericks got on the board on a slick passing play.  Tyler Weiss carried the puck through traffic into the DU zone before handing off to Taylor Ward.  Ward then slipped a back-door pass to Chayse Primeau who knocked in his seventh goal of the year at 8:17.

But the Mavericks got into penalty trouble late, and DU added a five-on-three power play goal with 1:24 to go for the final margin.

Saville was sharp with 35 saves while DU's Magnus Chrona stopped 16.

The Mavericks will face the Pioneers again on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. CT.  The game will be shown live on CBS Sports Network.

GAME NOTES:

• With his assist on Primeau's goal, Taylor Ward extended his point-scoring streak to four games (3-3-6).
• Saville has made 150 saves over the last four games.

Three Stars:  1. Cole Guttman/Denver (1-2-3); 2. Carter Savoie/Denver (1-1-2); 3. Isaiah Saville/Omaha (35 saves)