KALAMAZOO, Mich. – No. 20 Omaha Hockey (16-12-1, 12-6-1 NCHC) fell 5-4 in overtime to No. 3 Western Michigan (21-5-1, 14-2-1 NCHC) after a three-goal third period from the Mavericks on Friday night at Lawson Arena.
Omaha had trailed by as much as two goals during the final frame but climbed the ladder to secure a crucial point in the conference standings.
Graduate forward Jimmy Glynn was the game's second star as he recorded his third career three-point game. The Lemont, Ill., native assisted on the Mavericks' first goal and scored twice in the third period, including a power play goal that snapped Western Michigan's streak of 42 straight successful penalty kills.
The Broncos had not allowed a power play goal since Nov. 22, when they played at Minnesota Duluth. Omaha scored on two straight power plays and is the only team in 2024 to score more than one against Western Michigan.
The Mavericks also scored two power play goals against the Broncos on Nov. 9, when they hosted them on Kemp Ice at Baxter Arena.
Omaha struck first for the seventh consecutive contest in the first period.
Junior forward Tyler Rollwagen took control of the puck in the neutral zone and led a charge into the Broncos' zone.
Rollwagen, Glynn, and graduate forward Brock Bremer joined Rollwagen on the offensive attack. The Bloomington, Minn. native centered it, and Glynn took control. He then looked to rip a shot, but in fact, he sent it left to Bremer.
Bremer got it off his stick almost as soon as it touched it and buried the puck 5:42 into the opening period to take a 1-0 lead.
Following the opening frame, Western Michigan scored back-to-back goals in the second period exactly seven minutes apart.
Down 2-1 heading into the third period, Omaha got the comeback started with a goal from Glynn just 28 seconds into the final frame.
Alex Bump made the most of the Broncos' sole power play of the third period and took the lead back 3-2 5:58 into the final 20 minutes.
Once again, Western Michigan potted consecutive goals, extending the lead 4-2 after Cam Knuble found the back of the net.
Omaha did what no other team has done since late November when they had a third power play opportunity. Glynn once again found himself in a scenario where it looked like he was playing mini golf, putting one behind goaltender Cameron Rowe 11:36 into the final frame to break the Broncos' penalty kill streak.
The Mavericks pulled junior goaltender Simon Latkoczy with under two minutes when they had a fourth power play opportunity.
Junior defenseman Jacob Guevin centered himself with the puck and had a 6-on-4 advantage as he ripped a shot that Rowe did not see and tied it at 18:19 with 1:41 remaining in regulation.
Guevin's goal gave the Mavericks a point in the conference standings, but ultimately, it fell for the first time in overtime this season when freshman defenseman Joona Vaisanen netted his second goal of the game. However, it was 1:04 into overtime, and the contest was finished.
Latkoczy made 35 saves in the game and faced 40 shots on goal.
The Mavericks will try to play for more points on Saturday night as they battle the Broncos again in game number 30 this season at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT.
