OXFORD, Ohio – Despite 15 first-period shots, the Miami hockey team was unable to get on the board in the early going and ultimately dropped a 3-1 decision to Ferris State on Saturday night.
MU (1-3-1) fired a season-high 34 shots, but ultimately settled for a series split.
The RedHawks' penalty kill was put to work right away as the Bulldogs (2-1) went on the power play 51 seconds in. That FSU man advantage did not amount to much as it took a minor of its own a minute in. While on its own brief power play, Miami got a few looks in the zone that were unable to find the net as the contest remained scoreless.
MU controlled the puck for a good chunk of the first period and finished the first 20 minutes with a 15-5 shot advantage.
Ryan Savage created perhaps Miami's best chance of the frame when he maneuvered through traffic in close, but Roni Salmenkangas stood his ground to keep it out as the game remained scoreless at the break.
Miami got a pair of second period power plays looking to make a dent in the scoreboard, but ultimately came away with nothing despite some extended time in the offensive zone. Eventually it was the Bulldogs to draw first blood as Marshall Moise got fed in on a breakaway and put it in with 7:28 to go in the middle stanza.
That lead did not last long, however as
Ryan Savage buried his first-career goal 29 seconds later by cashing in a rebound from a
Noah Jordan shot.
Christian Mohs also picked up the assist on the tally that evened it up at 1-1 at the 12:27 mark.
The Red & White started to come in waves in the offensive zone, but a turnover at that end sprung the Bulldogs in transition late in the frame as Coale Norris picked a corner on a 2-on-1 rush to give them a 2-1 lead. Miami rushed the goal trying to tie it up as a Matt Clement shot led to all sorts of chaos in front, with two more shots coming in that Salmenkangas kept out as FSU skated to the dressing room with a 2-1 lead through two.
Ferris State opened the third period with several chances, hitting a couple posts in the process. Its sustained play in the offensive zone drew a penalty at the 2:27 mark. The Bulldogs used the man advantage to add breathing room when Lucas Finner scored on a backdoor feed to make it 3-1 at the 4:12 mark.
The RedHawks got a power play midway through the period, but were unable to capitalize. In an effort to force some offense, MU pulled
Ryan Larkin for an extra skater with 3:55 remaining, but outside of a few early looks, were unable to get anything past Salmenkangas as it ultimately settled for a series split.
Miami outshot Ferris State 34-29 on the night, but went 0-for-4 on the power play while FSU went 1-for-2 on the man advantage. Larkin finished the evening with 26 saves in net.
The Red & White head on the road next weekend for a series at Colgate. Opening faceoff on Friday's series opener is at 7 p.m.
