KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team fell to Denver 3-1 Saturday night inside Lawson Arena. Before the game, the Broncos honored six seniors: Zak Galambos, Jamie Rome, Carter Berger, Jack Perbix, Cole Gallant and Jason Polin. 

Western Michigan came out firing in the first period, as the Broncos outshot the Pioneers 12-6 in the opening 20 minutes. WMU was actually able to take the lead, with Cole Gallant lighting the lamp on the power play, thanks to assists from Jacob Bauer and Zak Galambos. Cameron Rowe was stellar in net all night long, making 28 saves. 

Just one night after losing 5-2, the Broncos were the aggressor in the opening period. Both teams had looks in the opening few minutes, but Western Michigan had a great opportunity to make some noise when DU's Jack Devin was sent off for a major penalty. Moments later, Brett Edwards joined his teammate in the box, giving the Broncos a two minute 5-on-3 advantage. Throughout that five minutes, WMU would put six shots on net, but DU goaltender Magnus Chrona and the Pioneers' defense were able to get back to full strength. 

However, just over three minutes after the major penalty ended, Denver went back to the penalty box for tripping, and the Broncos were able to make the Pioneers pay. After a scrum in the corner, Bauer kicked a pass over to Galambos who found Gallant for the game's first goal. That was Gallant's fifth goal of the season. The Broncos would carry that one-goal advantage into the second period. 

After killing off a penalty to begin the second period, WMU was able to earn another 5-on-3 opportunity, with Devine and McKade Webster taking a trip to the penalty box. During that time, Tim Washe thought he had scored the Broncos' second goal of the night. The play was reviewed, and the referees determined that Western Michigan had knocked the goal off before the puck went in. Just a few minutes later, Denver found the equalizer on the power play, as Devine tied the game at 1-1. 

Neither team found much momentum down the stretch of the second period, but WMU was able to earn another power play late in the frame. Justin Lee was sent off for kneeing, and WMU went on the attack again. The penalty extended into the third period, but Denver was able to keep the Broncos off the board. In the opening five minutes of the final period, Western Michigan outshot Denver 5-2, but it was the Pioneers who were able to score and take the lead early in the final frame. Carter Mazur netted what ended up being the game-winning goal just under five minutes into the third period. 

Moving into the middle portion of the third period, WMU picked up the offensive pressure, with Polin getting a few good looks on net. Daniel Hilsendager also had a shot from the point that went through some traffic but was saved. After killing off a penalty with just under five minutes left in the game, the Broncos pulled Rowe to gain the extra attacker. However Massimo Rizzo would secure the DU victory by scoring on the empty net.  

Western Michigan will be back in action next weekend at Miami (OH). The two-game set will begin Friday night at 7 p.m., while Saturday's game will have a 5 p.m. puck drop. Those games can be seen on NCHC.tv and heard on the Bronco Media Network.