The Omaha Mavericks fell 5-2 in the opening conference matchup against the No. 11 Western Michigan Broncos. 

The Mavericks came out of the gates strong netting the first goal of the night just 4:36 into the contest. Senior Brock Bremer made a pass up the board to Griffin Ludtke at the blueline. Ludkte fired a shot through the traffic in the slot finding the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead. 

With a one-goal lead opening the second period, the Broncos equalized the game at the 17:22 mark. Not long after the equalizer, the Omaha would go a power play leading to another Maverick goal. Fifth year captain, Nolan Sullivan, found himself in the perfect spot in front of the net to tip in the shot made up the middle by Ludtke, for a power play goal. Zach Urdahl connected the initial pass to Ludtke, marking his second assist of the season. 

The Broncos responded back with a goal just a 1:43 later tying the game once again. WMU found the net at the halfway mark of the second period for the go-ahead goal and ultimately the game-winner. 

Down by just one, going into the final 20, the Broncos capped off the game with a power play goal just 1:15 into the third and an empty netter in at the end of the contest for a 5-2 final decision. 

The Mavericks neutralized three of the four penalty kills they were faced with tonight. 

In the face-off circle, the Mavericks went 31-32, with Ty Mueller winning 16 of his 31 taken. 

Sophomore blueliner Jacob Guevin lead the team tonight with four shots on goal. 

The Mavericks and the Broncos will do it all again tomorrow night from Baxter Arena in the series finale. Puck drop is slated for 7:07 p.m.