KALAMZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team continued its winning streak while ending Omaha's, as the Broncos collected a 6-1 victory Friday night inside Lawson Arena. The win extended WMU's winning streak to seven games and ended the Mavericks' five-game streak. 

The Broncos came out of the gates firing, scoring four first-period goals. Carter Berger, Tim Washe, Chad Hillebrand and Luke Grainger lit the lamp in the opening period. Washe would again score in the second, making it 5-1 after 40 minutes. Hugh Larkin put the icing on the cake, scoring an early third-period goal to make the final 6-1. Cole Gallant had three assists on the night and Jack Perbix notched two. Five other players had at least one assist.

After a Dylan Wendt shot was blocked, it didn't take long for WMU to get on the board, as Berger found some open space and buried one into the back of the net to give the Broncos the early 1-0 lead. Minutes later, the Broncos would go on the power play, but nothing would come of that opportunity. It was the seconds after the man advantage that Western would do its damage. Washe found some good fortune, as he banked a shot off the goalie from behind the goal line for the Broncos' second goal of the night. Omaha would score its lone goal of the game at the 9:45 mark of the period to inch closer. However, the Bronco offense would take over from there, netting two more goals in the period. 

Play picked up with just under six minutes to play in the opening period, as Hillebrand used a Cole Gallant pass to light the lamp. Just over two minutes later, Grainger was able to make the score 4-1 in favor of the home team. The Broncos carried a three-goal advantage into the second period. 

Omaha changed goalies to open the second period, and the Broncos greeted him with a bunch of shots in the opening minutes of the second period. The Mavericks' new goaltender saved five shots before Washe finally beat him for his second goal of the game and fourth in his last two outings. After that, Jacob Bauer would go to the box for tripping, but Cameron Rowe and the WMU defense stood tall. Rowe saved three shots and the Broncos got one blocked shot on the penalty kill. 

As the period entered its final five minutes, the Broncos tried to add more to their total, with Larkin and Jamie Rome having shots saved by Omaha. With under a minute to play in the second 20 minutes, Rowe made another save and Zak Galambos blocked a shot to help WMU carry a four-goal advantage into the final period of play. 

The offense didn't slow down in the final 20 minutes, as Larkin was able to get in the scoring column just under five minutes into the third period. After his initial shot was saved, Larkin kept working, and the puck found its way into the back of the net for WMU's sixth goal of the night. The pressure didn't stop there, however. Seconds after that goal, the Mavericks were able to make strong saves on Jason Polin and Gallant. 

Another opportunity arose for WMU when two Mavericks entered the box, giving the Broncos a 5-on-3 advantage. The Broncos fired four shots on net but were unable to add a seventh goal. The Mavericks had one shot in the final four minutes of the game. 

Rowe finished the night with 20 saves, including a nine save second period. He has now let in two or fewer goals in six of his last seven games. The Broncos finished the night perfect on the penalty kill, killing off a pair of penalties. In total, WMU had 20 shots on goal compared to just 21 for Omaha. 

The two squads will square off again tomorrow night inside Lawson Arena, with the opening faceoff taking place at 6 p.m.