DENVER – The ninth-ranked Western Michigan hockey team suffered its first road loss of the season, falling to No. 14 Denver, 5-3, at Magness Arena on Friday night.

The Broncos (6-3-0, 1-2-0, NCHC) picked up goals from Michael Joyaux, Drew Worrad and Josh Passolt on the night but were outshot 41-22. WMU finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Pioneers were 2-for-2.

Western Michigan took a very early 1-0 lead on goal by Joyaux just 43 seconds into the game. Joyaux fired the puck toward the net from the middle of the blue line and Worrad provided a screen on DU goalie Magnus Chrona as it found the back of the net. The goal was Joyaux's second of the season with Worrad tallying his team-best 10th assist, joined by Cole Gallant.

Denver tied it up on a goal by Cameron Wright at 5:16 in the first period with Wright finishing off a pass by Carter Mazur at the far post.

The Broncos took a 2-1 lead into the second period thanks to a late goal by Worrad. The senior forward weaved his way through traffic and beat Chrona high glove-side for his third goal of the season with 52 seconds to play in the first. Ethen Frank and Jason Polin both picked up assists on the goal.

Carter Savoie scored his first of two goals just 45 seconds into the second period to tie it up at 2-2, taking advantage of a breakdown in the WMU end and converting a wide-open shot from the right circle.

Just minutes later Massimo Rizzo scored on a back-hander at 2:24 to give the Pioneers the lead. Mazur netted the eventual game-winner on the power play at 7:31 in the second, pushing the lead to 4-2.

Passolt got the Broncos back within one on the power play at 11:38 in the second period. Passolt got the puck from Ronnie Attard at the top of the left circle, skated toward the net and toe-dragged by a DU defenseman before putting it under the cross bar in the top-left corner of the net for his second goal of the season. Paul Washe also tallied an assist on the goal.

Savoie added another power play goal at 10:27 in the third period, capping off a four-point night for the sophomore forward with two assists to go along with his scoring.

WMU pulled Brandon Bussi late in the game to get the extra attacker but were unable to overcome the two-goal deficit.

The two teams battle again on Saturday at 8 p.m. The game can be streamed live on NCHC.tv and can be heard live on the Bronco Radio Network.