OMAHA, Neb. – The Western Michigan hockey team dropped its first game of the season on Saturday night against Omaha. The Mavericks netted an overtime goal to defeat the Broncos, 3-2. 

FIRST PERIOD
After falling 5-2 last night, Omaha came out with a little more energy. The Mavericks were able to get two shots on net in the opening minute, but Cameron Rowe was there to make a pair of saves. 

The Broncos were then able to settle in and found some momentum on offense. Over the course of three minutes in the early portion of the first, WMU was able to get five shots, but Simon Latkoczy and the Omaha defense would keep the puck out of the net. 

Just over eight minutes into the game, the Brown and Gold went on the penalty kill. However, the Broncos were able to limit the Mavericks to just one shot on net and eventually returned to full strength. Moments later, WMU would get its own power play and found some great looks on net. 

Alex Bump had a nice look that was saved by Latkoczy, and the game would remain tied heading into the later stages of the period.   In the closing minutes, Owen Michaels nearly put the Broncos in front with a nice shot on net. But it would be saved and Omaha would draw a penalty late in the opening frame. The teams went into the first intermission tied at 0-0. 

SECOND PERIOD
Despite beginning the opening minute on the power play, Omaha was unable to generate any offense, and the Broncos returned to full strength. They then went on their own power play just moments after that. 

On the man advantage, Joe Cassetti and Sam Colangelo would get looks on net, but nothing would get by Latkoczy, and the Mavericks would get back to full strength. Just under six minutes into the second frame, Omaha found the game's first goal. 

However, that lead was short lived, as WMU responded just 24 seconds later. Ethan Phillips touched the puck to Luke Grainger who eventually slid a pass to Dylan Wendt. He fired the puck at the net and lit the lamp for his sixth goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. 

A couple minutes later, WMU would kill off another Omaha power play. Rowe was able to make a sprawling save to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the middle part of the period. In the closing minutes, Michaels and Grainger would fire shots at Latkoczy, but the two teams would enter the third period tied at 1-1. 

THIRD PERIOD
The Broncos went on the penalty kill less than a minute into the third frame, but again, WMU was able to keep Omaha off the board. The Mavericks didn't get a shot on net during the man advantage. 

Around the 4:30 mark of the third period, WMU went back on the power play, getting great looks from Grainger and Colangelo. Latkoczy and the Omaha defense would find a way to keep the game tied. 

The energy started to ramp up late in the period, as both teams started to create more scoring chances. Omaha lit the lamp with just over five minutes left in the period to take a 2-1 lead. WMU would pull Rowe from the net and find the equalizer with just 11 seconds left to play. Matteo Costantini tipped a Phillips shot into the net to knot the game at 2-2. 

OVERTIME
Early in overtime, Berger would get a look on net, but he couldn't find the game winner. Phillips would then get a good look on net, but eventually Omaha would find the back of the net and secure a 3-2 overtime victory. 

UP NEXT
Western Michigan returns home next weekend to host St. Cloud State. The series will begin on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.