No. 5 Denver controlled Friday night’s 6-3 victory over No. 19 Omaha for long stretches. It got the payoff thanks to a familiar accomplice.

Denver erupted for four second-period goals — two from junior Jack Devine to win for the fourth time in five games.

That gave DU (16-5-1, 7-3-0 NCHC) 51 goals in the second period, 11 more than it has scored in the third and 24 more than in the first.

Top Line Shines

Devine added three assists to give a career-best, five-point game, and linemates McKade Webster and Massimo Rizzo each added a goal and two assists. Just another 11-point night.

Devine took over the NCAA scoring lead from Rizzo by one (38 points) and padded his NCAA-best goal total to 20. The trio now has 98 points. The other two members of Denver’s top-five in points added an assist each — Carter King (30 points) and Zeev Buium (28).

The Pioneers came into the game leading the nation in scoring at 5.2 goals per game, and they exceeded that against an Omaha team they struggled with a bit in November, splitting a pair.

Matt Davis, who did not play in that series (when Omaha scored eight goals), made 18 saves.  Meanwhile, DU shredded the Mavericks defense for 41 shots. Those included goals by Boston Buckberger and Aidan Thompson.

Omaha (11-8-2, 4-6-1) scored two of its three goals on power plays (Ty Mueller in the second and Jesse Lansdell in the third).

Notes: Freshman wing Miko Matikka was selected the NCHC Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season. His 14 goals tied for most among NCAA freshmen. … The teams play again on Saturday at 6 p.m.