MINNEAPOLIS -- The Western Michigan hockey team fell in a close battle with Denver University, 4-3, at the Target Center on Friday night in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Semifinals.

Denver's Ty Loney created a turnover in the WMU zone and then out-raced a Bronco defender to the net to score with 4:53 left in the game for the game-winner.

Western Michigan picked up goals from Nolan LaPorte, Shane Berschbach, and Will Kessel but NCHC Goalie of the Year Sam Brittain made a game-high 24 saves to keep WMU off the board in the final minutes.

The Broncos lit the lamp just 42 seconds into the first period for their fastest goal of the season to start a game. Nolan LaPorte fired the puck into the DU zone for a line change but the puck bounced off the boards and off Brittain's skate and into the net for his 11th of the season.

Denver responded at 8:34 in the first period on a goal by Daniel Doremus. Josiah Didier fired a shot from the point and the rebound kicked right to Doremus and he buried it for his eighth of the season to tie the game 1-1.

DU took its first lead of the game at 13:03 when Grant Arnold punched in a rebound on a shot by Trevor Moore for his second goal of the season.

The Pioneers took a 2-1 lead into the second period but at 6:11 Justin Kovacs sprung Berschbach for a breakaway. The senior sniper skated to the slot and beat Brittain stick-side for his team-best 16th goal of the season. Kovacs tallied his 20th assist and Thomas Nitsche also picked up an assist as the Broncos tied the game 2-2.

WMU took the lead, 3-2, late in the second period at 18:06. Will Kessel drove to the net and the puck deflected up and past Brittain for his sixth goal of the season. Chris Dienes notched the lone assist on WMU's final goal.

Denver tied the game 3-3 with just three seconds left in the second period after defenseman Joey LaLeggia fired a wrist shot from the deep slot, finding its way through traffic and past Frank Slubowski for his 12th of the season.

The Broncos were held scoreless on two power play opportunities, whole holding Denver on its lone chance. WMU outshot DU 27-23 on the night.

Western Michigan plays the loser of the North Dakota and Miami game on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET.