Matt Vernon posted 31 saves to record his first victory of the season and Nicklas Andrews had three assists to lead Colorado College to a 4-1 victory over Omaha Friday night at Robson Arena.
 
Four different players scored as the Tigers (7-13-3, 4-8-1) pulled into a sixth-place tie with Omaha in the NCHC standings.  
 
Brett Chorske opened the scoring with a power play goal at the 9:59 mark of the first period. Danny Weight sent the puck from the far boards to the crease, where Chorske deflected it past Omaha goalie Isaiah Saville.
 
The Tigers had a couple of chances to extend their lead midway through the second period, but Omaha (15-10-0, 5-8-0) killed both of its penalties in the middle frame.
 
However, Tommy Middleton made it 2-0 with 1:28 left in the period when he deflected a shot from Andrews past Saville for his second goal of the season.
 
Omaha's Matt Miller cut the lead in half at 6:53 of the third period with a power-play goal, but Brian Hawkinson extended the lead back to two with less than six minutes remaining.
 
Hawkinson took a pass from Hunter McKown and fired a one-timer from the high slot past Saville for his fifth goal of the season. The senior co-captain has three goals against the Mavericks this season. Andrews collected his career-high third helper on the play.
 
"It was a good recipe tonight, we got the lead and kept it," head coach Kris Mayotte said. "This wasn't our best game of the season but we did enough to win. When they scored, I felt like it woke us up. We got back to wanting the puck and wanting to make plays."
 
With Saville (15 saves) out of the net for an extra attacker, Bryan Yoon notched his first of the season, sending the puck nearly the length of the ice into the empty net with 1:17 remaining on the clock.
 
Vernon was excellent all evening, following up two solid relief appearances last weekend against Denver. His 31 saves equaled his season-high, originally set in his last start against Arizona State on Dec. 17.
 
"Matt works hard every day, he has certainly worked hard for his opportunity. He has the ability to move and have a big chest. He fills the net really well."
 
Omaha outshot the Tigers, 32-19, and each team scored a goal on the power play.
 
The two teams battle again on Saturday, Jan. 29, beginning at 6 p.m.