DENVER – Senior Taylor Ward had a goal and an assist while reaching the 100-point milestone in his collegiate career as No. 15 Omaha's rally came up short in a 5-2 loss to No. 6 Denver at Magness Arena.

Ward pulled the Mavericks (14-7) to within 4-2 with a 4-on-4 goal with 3:16 remaining, and then Omaha went with an extra attacker on an ensuing power play. The Pioneers (13-5-1) killed off the penalty before Cole Guttman scored into an empty net to improve Denver to 9-0-1 on home ice this season.

The Mavericks were originally scheduled to play at North Dakota this weekend, but the National Collegiate Hockey Conference shuffled its slate after that series and Denver's matchup with St. Cloud State were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Omaha officially became DU's opponent Wednesday.

Denver, which improved to 6-3 in NCHC play, grabbed an early lead when Massimo Rizzo scored 7:41 into the game. Bobby Brink's goal 20 seconds into the second period doubled the Pioneer advantage.

Omaha captain Kevin Conley got the Mavericks back to within one with a power-play goal 6:06 into the second. Ward had the secondary assist on the goal, which Brandon Scanlin set up, to get his 100th point.

Ward's goal late in the game came after Cameron Wright had scored twice to push Denver's lead to 4-1. The Mavericks, however, dropped to 4-5 in league play when time expired on their comeback bid.