Western Michigan tie series with a 5-2 win over Omaha to send them into game three of NCHC quarterfinal series.
The Mavericks took down the Broncos 2-1 OT Friday to open up the NCHC playoff series against Western Michigan.
Western Michigan was first to score with a goal by Paul Stoykewych at 15:34. Omaha tied the game in the second period with a backhanded goal by Jake Randolph at 9:38. Friday's goal marked Randolph's sixth goal of the year.
Both teams failed to score in the third period leaving the game tied 1-1 and sending it into overtime.
With 4:17 to go in overtime Omaha's Justin Parizek scored the game-winning goal Friday for his 12th goal of the season.
Omaha's Evan Weninger finished Friday night with 27 saves while Broncos' Ben Blacker recorded 35 saves.
Friday's 2-1 OT win over Western Michigan marked the Mavericks first playoff victory since a 5-4 win over Denver in the 2014 NCHC quarterfinals and second in conference play.
Western Michigan put up a fight Saturday preventing Omaha to sweep the Broncos. Western Michigan 5-2 win over the Mavericks evened the best-of-three NCHC quarterfinal series.
Omaha started off hot with a quick goal by Tyler Vesel. He managed to score his 13th goal of the season just 48 seconds into the game with an assist by Parizek.
Broncos' Colt Conrad answered with a goal at 7:56 but the Mavericks took back the lead at the start of the second period with a goal by Austin Ortega. The second period goal by Ortega gave him his 20th goal of the year along with becoming the first player in school history to register three 20-goal seasons.
Despite the Mavericks impressive quick goals the Broncos took control in the third period scoring three goals. Western Michigan's Wade Allison scored a quick goal of his own just 52 seconds into the final period. Hugh McGing and Michael Rebry scored later in the third to seal the victory.
Weninger finished Saturday's game with 27 saves and Blacker stopped 36.
Omaha and Western Michigan face game three Sunday, March 12th at 6:05 p.m. CT. The winner will advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.
