KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team continued its winning ways, defeating Omaha 4-1 on Friday night at Lawson Ice Arena.

The Broncos (7-4-1, 4-1-0-0 NCHC) picked up goals from Paul Washe, Colt Conrad, Hugh McGing and Dawson DiPietro. Sophomore goalie Ben Blacker had a shutout bid spoiled by a late goal, but made 24 saves on the night. WMU's penalty kill held the nation's top power play scoreless on four power plays, allowing just three shots on goal. Overall, Western Michigan outshot the Mavericks 33-25 and finished 1-for-5 on the power play.

The Broncos jumped out to an early 1-0 on Washe's fourth of the season at 6:05 in the first period. WMU was on the power play when McGing tried to center the puck Washe in the slot. The puck deflected off of a few bodies but dropped to the ice and the freshman forward punched it in. McGing notched his team-best 11th assist on the goal, while Scott Moldenhauer picked up the first of two assists for himself on the night.

Western Michigan didn't waste much time to put Omaha down 2-0, scoring again at 9:55. Conrad netted his eighth of the season from just in front of the net after taking a feed by Wade Allison. Allison tallied his ninth assist of the season, while Jade McMullen also got a helper on the goal.

McGing gave the Broncos a 3-0 lead just 1:07 into the second period. Moldenhauer dished it off to the sophomore forward and he fired it from the right circle. UNO goalie Evan Weninger got a piece of it but it trickled past the goal line for McGing's fourth goal of the season.

DiPietro pushed the lead to 4-0 at 6:51 in the third period on a highlight-reel goal. Luke Bafia broke up a play in the Bronco zone and pushed the puck ahead to DiPietro. The sophomore forward batted the puck in the air to himself and weaved through two Omaha defenders before firing a shot from the left circle and into the net for his sixth goal of the season. Bafia picked up his fifth assist of the season on the goal.

UNO's Teemu Pulkkinen netted a goal with 52 seconds left to spoil the shutout.

The two teams battle again on Saturday night at Lawson Ice Arena. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. and can be seen live on NCHC.tv.