Box Score | PDF Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - Ryan Larkin made 44 saves to help the Miami hockey team hold off a late surge from No. 10/10 Western Michigan in a 4-3 victory on Saturday night.

Larkin's outing helped the RedHawks (9-11-6, 5-7-4-2 National Collegiate Hockey) snap their four-game winless streak and give them a weekend series split.

A Bronco (14-7-3, 8-7-1-1 NCHC) penalty 29 seconds into the contest gave the Red and White a chance to go to work offensively right away and they took advantage at the 1:38 mark when Grant Hutton ripped a point shot top shelf to make it a 1-0 contest. That lead was short lived as Colt Conrad evened the score 21 seconds later to leave the score 1-1 with just under two minutes gone by from the opening draw. Hutton's sixth goal of the season was helped out on assists by Gordie Green and Zach LaValle.

WMU had a power lay of its own with 5:56 elapsed from the clock, but MU was able to withstand that man advantage. The Broncos ended up holding a 12-7 shot advantage in the opening 20 minutes, but strong goaltending from Larkin kept it a tie game in the late stages of the frame.

It appeared that the score would remain tied at intermission, but a late WMU penalty put MU to its third power play of the period as Josh Melnick redirected a feed at the net front from Kiefer Sherwood to give the RedHawks a 2-1 lead at the break. Louie Belpedio also drew an assist on the play.

The RedHawks were penalized just seven seconds into the second period, but managed to spring Melnick on a breakaway. Before he could make a move, the shifty sophomore forward was hauled down from behind and awarded a penalty shot with just 1:19 expired. With open ice, Melnick deked out Ben Blacker and beat him glove side for his second tally of the night to make it a 3-1 game.

MU added another goal when Anthony Louis' speed nullified an icing call after Colin Sullivan cleared the zone from his own corner. Louis swung a pass in front and several bodies crashed the goal, leaving Blacker down and a loose puck in the crease for Willie Knierim, who banged home his fourth goal of the season to up the lead to 4-1.

The Broncos poured on the pressure in the RedHawk end, outshooting them 18-7 in the middle stanza. Larkin was sharp throughout, knocking away every attempt to keep Miami on top by three goals after 40 minutes.

An early penalty on the RedHawks in the third helped the Broncos draw a little closer and Sheldon Dries redirected a point shot from the side of the net in to cut the MU lead to 4-2 just 1:22 into the frame.

Another long range WMU shot changed direction as Neal Goff fired one from the left point that hit a Miami body and went in with 13:31 left in regulation, cutting the Miami lead to a single shot at 4-3. The Broncos continued to push down the stretch, firing 17 more shots in the final 20 minutes. Larkin continued to impress in the crease and the RedHawks were able to find another gear and play a little more in the WMU end over the final eight minutes.

With the score still 4-3 and time winding down, WMU pulled Blacker for an extra attacker and had a golden opportunity to tie it up when a broken play saw a loose puck kick to the left circle to Griffen Molino. The Bronco forward fired one on target, but Larkin kicked his right pad out to keep the RedHawks on top and helping them earn the weekend split.

Western Michigan outshot Miami 47-19, including 35-12 over the final 40 minutes, but Larkin's 44-save gem helped the RedHawks pull out the victory. Miami scored twice on its three power plays while Western Michigan went 4-of-5 on the man advantage. Melnick posted his second two-goal outing of the season to lead the Red and White offense.

The RedHawks are idle until Feb. 10 when they head to St. Cloud State for a weekend series.