DENVER, Colo. – Western Michigan fell to Denver, 3-2, Friday night at Magness Arena. 

Luke Grainger and Dylan Wendt had the goals for the Broncos, while Grainger, Wyatt Schingoethe, Ethan Phillips and Alex Bump each had assists. Goaltender Cameron Rowe made 30 saves, and the Broncos went five-for-five on the penalty kill. WMU had just one chance on the power play the entire night. 

FIRST PERIOD
Both teams came out fast in the opening frame, with the Broncos getting shots on net from Matteo Costantini and Sam Colangelo in the opening minute. WMU would continue to apply pressure until a faceoff violation penalty sent the Brown and Gold to the box. 

On the penalty kill, Rowe and the WMU defense did well to limit the Pioneers' offensive chances and eventually returned to full strength. 

As the game progressed the middle portion of the first period, Denver would find the back of the net on a 2-on-1 rush. A few minutes later, WMU would take another penalty. WMU did kill off the DU man advantage, but the Pioneers made the game 2-0 just six seconds after the Broncos returned to full strength. WMU trailed 2-0 heading into the first intermission. 

SECOND PERIOD
The Broncos committed a penalty early in the second 20 minutes but limited DU to just two shots and got back to even strength. After fending off a flurry of offense from the Pioneers, WMU ramped up the pressure and got one to find the back of the net. 

After a DU turnover, Schingoethe found Phillips who fired a shot on net. His shot slipped by Denver goaltender Matt Davis and Grainger was there to score the goal and bring the Broncos back within one. 

Western Michigan was then able to kill off another DU power play, allowing just one shot while down a player. As the period started to wind down, WMU would receive its first and only power play of the night. Tim Washe got three shots, while Colangelo fired one on net before the period expired. WMU carried 32 seconds of power play time into the third frame. 

THIRD PERIOD
DU would kill off the penalty and score to make it 3-1 early in the final period. Moments after that, the puck found the stick of Cole Crusberg-Roseen, and he nearly scored the first goal of his career. Just a couple minutes after that, Bump found himself open in front of the net and had a shot saved by Davis. 

As the game moved past the middle portion of the third period, Cam Knuble had a shot just miss over the net that would have brought the Broncos back within one. After that, WMU was called for roughing and went back on the penalty kill for the fifth time. 

Early in the DU man advantage, Rowe was able to make a sprawling save to keep the game at 3-1. Following that save, Grainger took a Pioneer turnover the other way and nearly scored shorthanded. WMU would eventually get back to full strength. 

Down the stretch, Wendt had a goal taken off the board due to goaltender interference, which would've made the score 3-2 with more than three minutes to play. However, less than a minute later, Wendt was able to find the back of the net, thanks to a great pass by Bump. 

Trailing 3-2 with more than two minutes left, WMU continued to play with an extra skater. With time winding down, the Broncos fired multiple shots on net and tried to shield Davis. In the end, nothing would find the back of the net, and Denver would escape with a 3-2 win. 

UP NEXT
Western Michigan and Denver finish off the weekend series tomorrow night at Magness Arena. Puck drop for the series finale is set for 8 p.m. ET.