KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Marcus Nyugen and
Maxime Pellerin, Omaha Hockey's top two goal scorers this season, scored Friday night, but No. 3 Western Michigan extended its winning streak to 10 with a 5-2 win over the Mavericks.
Western Michigan, the defending national champion, built a two-goal advantage early in the second period as it improved to 19-6 and 11-4 in the NCHC. The Broncos have allowed a total of 17 goals during their winning streak.
Western Michigan outshot Omaha (9-18, 5-12) 12-5 in the first 13 minutes, grabbing a 1-0 lead with a goal at the 7:17 mark of the first period.
Omaha quickly responded. A minute after the Broncos' goal, Nyugen scored on a one-timer after
Luke Woodworth dropped off a pass for him. The teams went to the first intermission tied.
It was Nyugen's seventh goal this season and Woodworth's 12th assist.
Western Michigan killed off a penalty to start the second period, then the Bronco offense went to work. Western Michigan scored twice in less than two minutes to build a 3-1 lead with 14:43 left in the period. Western Michigan kept the pressure on by scoring 22 seconds into the third period.
Omaha pulled within 4-2 with 11:24 left when Pellerin scored his team-best eighth goal.
Trevor Wong hit Pellerin with a pass in front of the goal and Pellerin found the back of the net.
But Western Michigan scored with six minutes left to secure the win.
Simon Latkoczy finished with 40 saves for Omaha. Nguyen had seven of Omaha's 29 shots on goal.
Omaha and Western Michigan will play the final game of their series at 5 p.m. CT Saturday. Western Michigan two both games from the Mavericks in a November series at Baxter Arena.
Connect with Omaha Hockey on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, @OmahaHKY
