DENVER -- Western Michigan gave up four goals in the second period to surrender a lead and fell to Denver, 5-3, in front of 4,389 fans at Magness Arena on Friday night.

The loss was the first in National Collegiate Hockey Conference play for the Broncos (3-4-1, 2-1-0 NCHC). Justin Kovacs tallied three points on the night, while Shane Berschbach finished the game with a goal and an assist. Chase Balisy tallied an assist for his 100th career point, becoming the 52nd player in Western Michigan hockey history to reach the century mark.

Denver's high-powered power play attack scored two goals on six chances, including one on a five-on-three and during a major penalty. The Broncos were held scoreless on five power play chances of their own. DU outshot WMU 34-31 on the night, including a 17-9 edge in the second period.

The Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 lead  on goals by Berschbach and Kovacs in the first. After killing a penalty and with less than a minute left in the first period, WMU rushed down the ice and Balisy centered the puck and Berschbach redirected it in from in front of the crease for his fifth goal of the season. At 4:59 Kovacs pushed the lead to 2-0 on a shot from the slot. Berschbach created a turnover in the DU zone and found Kovacs sitting open and the junior fired it into the net for his third of the season. Berschbach tallied his team-leading eighth assist on the goal.

A five minute major was issued on WMU's Michael Rebry  midway through the second period and the tide turned. Daniel Doremus tipped in a shot from in front of the net at 8:15 in the second period to cut the lead to 2-1. Just under two minutes later Zac Larazza netted his second goal of the year during a five-on-three advantage to tie the game 2-2.

At 13:33 Trevor Moore gave DU the lead 3-2 after he tipped in a shot by Josia Didier for his first goal of the season. Just 32 seconds later the lead was pushed to 4-2 when Gave Levin netted a goal on a rebound.

WMU responded well in the third period after Kovacs found Josh Pitt streaking down the center of the ice and hit him for the breakaway. The sophomore forward back-handed it into the net for his third of the season.

With 11:31 remaining in the game Moore intercepted a pass right out in the slot and beat WMU goalie Frank Slubowski to put the nail in the coffin for the Pioneers.

The Broncos and Pioneers battle it out on Saturday night at 9:07 p.m.