Omaha scored five power play goals — four in one major power play — to roll over UAH 6-1 on Friday at Baxter Arena in Omaha.
The Chargers (0-3) continued to struggle on offensive, getting only one goal for the third straight game to start the season. They had 15 shots on goal, most of them coming in the second half of the third period.
Omaha (1-0) went 5-for-8 on the power play.
Game two is Saturday at 7:07 p.m.
UAH put themselves in a hole early on a costly error at the 4:32 mark in the first.
Goaltender Mark Sinclair’s pass from behind the net led to a turnover to Tristan Keck. Keck sent the puck in front to Josh Boyer in the slot, who beat Sinclair getting back into position.
Tanner Hickey was called for tripping 18 seconds later, and UNO capitalized on the power play for a 2-0 lead. Teemu Pulkkinen deflected a pass from Taylor Ward on Sinclair’s left doorstep at 6:31.
The game fell apart late in the second. Jack Jeffers was called for a five-minute boarding penalty, and UNO responded with four goals on the major power play: two in the final minute of the period, then two more in the first 3:30 of the third.
UAH got its own major power play halfway through the third period after Tyler Weiss made head contact with Christian Rajic. Weiss got five minutes and a game misconduct.
Tanner Hickey broke UNO’s shutout bid in that power play with a one-timer from the left point for this first UAH goal. Connor James and Bauer Neudecker got the assists.
Sinclair finished with 29 saves and allowed all six goals. UNO freshman goaltender Isaiah Saville made 14 saves.