ST. CLOUD, Minn. – For forty minutes, the Miami hockey team nearly stood toe-to-toe with top-ranked St. Cloud State on the road, but a big third period by SCSU sent MU to a 5-1 loss.
SCSU (19-4-2, 11-2-2-1 National Collegiate Hockey) struck for three goals in the third to break open what was a 2-1 game.
The Huskies jumped ahead just 38 seconds into the contest after blocking a shot at one end and getting a 2-on-1 that Jack Poehling converted a one-timer from the right circle for to nab a 1-0 lead. St. Cloud State ultimately fired the first four shots on goal in a quick start to the game.
Miami (9-14-4, 3-10-2-1 NCHC) nearly tied it up midway through the opening frame when
Gordie Green gathered a chipped puck down the right wing and appeared to beat David Hrenak to the right post on a wraparound. Hrenak's skate got the puck and he seemed to reach behind the goal line to fish the puck out, but officials ruled no goal on the ice and again on a subsequent replay review.
SCSU got the lone power play of the frame and enjoyed a 10-4 shot advantage in the opening frame, but the early tally was the only shot that dented the scoreboard in the first.
A St. Cloud State penalty in the opening minute of the second allowed Miami to even it up on the power play.
Grant Hutton was the end recipient of a good drive to the slot by Green before he sent it to
Josh Melnick who worked the puck low to high as Hutton ripped a slapshot from the point off the post and in to even it up at the 2:22 mark.
That tie did not last long as MU followed suit with a minor penalty and Jimmy Schuldt converted a one-timer from the point to put SCSU back on top with 3:15 gone by in the frame.
Miami controlled the puck much more in the middle frame, outshooting St. Cloud State by a 12-9 margin in the period. The Red & White got some stellar stops from
Jordan Uhelski during the points in time that the Huskies were buzzing in the zone as they were also able to kill off another SCSU power play later on.
MU eventually got a power play late in the period, but was unable to find the tying tally as it entered the third looking again to answer a one-goal deficit.
The Huskies came out firing to start the third, recording the first seven shots on goal. A power play chance led to a Ryan Poehling backdoor goal with 4:04 gone by to up the lead to 3-1. The ensuing shift nearly saw Miami pull back within a goal as an
Alec Mahalak shot got by Hrenak, but drew iron. Poehling then scored again on a breakaway to make it 4-1 with 12:15 to go.
While Miami got a couple power play chances after falling behind by three, it was unable to get anything past Hrenak. Patrick Newell eventually capped the scoring to make it 5-1 with 1:16 to go.
St. Cloud State finished with a 31-21 shot advantage for the night while going 2-for-5 on the power play. Miami's lone goal came on one of its five tries with the man advantage. Uhelski finished with 26 saves while Hrenak made 20 stops.
Saturday's series finale begins at 7:07 p.m. ET.
