MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Western Michigan surrendered three goals in the opening five minutes and then shut out Northern Michigan but failed to complete the comeback as the Broncos lost 3-1 at the Berry Events Center in front of 2,469 fans on Friday night.

Northern Michigan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 29 seconds into the first period. The Wildcats had a two-on-one advantage down the ice when Eric Higby passed it through the slot to Phil Fox and the senior punched it in for his fifth goal of the season.

Fox re-payed the favor just over two minutes later as he found Higby in nearly the same spot and Higby netted it for his third of the season. Giving up two goals in just two shots, WMU head coach Jeff Blashill pulled starting goalie Nick Pisellini and replaced him with Jerry Kuhn. It was Kuhn's first action since the season-opening loss to Canisius.

The Wildcats tested Kuhn early and jumped out to a 3-0 lead a the 4:08 mark on a power play goal by Tyler Gron. Gergor Hanson had a shot saved by Kuhn but the senior net-minder was unable to corral rebound and Gron poked it through his legs for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

The Broncos took one back in the second period with a power play goal at the 4:48 mark. Trevor Elias worked his way into the slot to fire a shot on net. NMU goalie Reid Ellingson made the save but the rebounded kicked left to Greg Squires and the junior winger back-handed it into the net for his fifth goal of the season. Elias tallied his seventh assist and Luke Witkowski picked up his fifth helper of the year as WMU cut the lead to 3-1.

WMU pressured the Wildcats, outshooting them 12-6 in the third period and played the final three minutes with the extra attacker but were unable to capitalize.

The Broncos and Wildcats play again on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m.