KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University's hockey team used a big third period to extend its unbeaten streak to 10 games and defeat Northern Michigan 5-2 in front of 3,131 at Lawson Arena Friday night.

The Broncos broke a 2-2 tie with three goals in the third period to keep the nation's longest unbeaten streak intact. Greg Squires scored the game-winning tally in a wild third period for the Broncos, who also got goals from Ryan Watson, Matt Tennyson, Mike Leone and Ross Henry. In net, Jerry Kuhn turned away 21 shots, including eight in the third period, to improve to 6-1-4 on the season. WMU improved to 13-6-8 overall and 7-5-7-4 in the CCHA, while snapping a two-way tie for fifth place with the Wildcats.

The Wildcats got goals from Phil Fox and Justin Florek, falling to 11-12-4 overall and 9-8-2-0 in league play. Reid Ellingson made 21 saves in net while dropping to 7-8-2 on the season.

Squires broke a two-all tie with the game-winner just 45 seconds into the third period with his seventh goal of the season. Squires spun away from a defender and brought the puck in front, sliding the puck five-hole past Ellingson. The goals was Squires' first game-winner of the season and was assisted by Max Campbell and Trevor Elias.

The Broncos got some insurance at the 10:21 mark of the period. Chase Balisy corralled his own wrap-around attempt and fed the puck to Henry at the point, who wristed the puck into the corner of the net for his first goal of the season and a 4-2 Bronco lead.

Northern Michigan put a scare into the Brown & Gold late with a goal that would have cut the Bronco lead in half. However, a would-be goal by Gregor Hanson was disallowed after it was determined that a Wildcat skater in the crease had interfered with Kuhn.

Mike Leone added an unassisted empty-net goal with two seconds remaining for the final margin.

Watson got the Broncos on the board first with his fourth goal of the season. Watson took a pass from out of the defensive zone and dumped a bouncing puck toward the net from the neutral zone. The knuckling puck took a big bounce over the stick of Ellingson and into the back of the net to give the Broncos a 1-0 at the 15:03 mark. Ian Slater and Henry picked up assists on the goal. For Henry it was the first multi-point game of his career.

The Wildcats answered the goal later in the period on the power play. Fox rushed the net on a three-on-two and threw a shot on net that was stopped by Kuhn. Fox got his own rebound and lifted it over the sprawling goaltender for his seventh goal of the season. Andrew Cherniwchan and Tyler Gron picked up assists on the tally, which tied the score at 1-1 at the 18:53 mark.

Tennyson gave WMU it's second lead of the night with his seventh goal of the season at the 6:15 mark of the second period. With the Broncos on the power play, Balisy and Shane Berschbach swung the puck around to Tennyson, whose wrister from the top of the left circle found the back of the net for a 2-1 Bronco lead. It was the only power play tally of the night for WMU, which went 1-of-5 on the man-advantage.

Once again, the Wildcats countered with a power play goal of their own, taking advantage of a five-on-three. A Kyle Follmer shot from the point was redirected off the skate of Justin Florek to tied the score at the 11:02 mark of the second period. The goal was Florek's 11th of the season, with Follmer and Tyler Gron picking up the assists. Both Wildcat goals came on the power play, as Northern Michigan capitalized on 2-of-4 power play opportunities.

Despite a five-minute power play in the second period for the Wildcats, WMU owned a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal in the period. The Broncos outshot the Wildcats 26-23 overall.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow night, for a 7:35 p.m. face-off at Lawson Arena. Live coverage will be provided by the Bronco Radio Network and Bronco Insider.