OMAHA, Neb. — After a rough start to the 2020-21 season, Miami battled No. 9/8 Denver in their first meeting so far this season. But the Pioneers found a quick pair of goals that put them on top, as the Miami University ice hockey team was defeated by the Denver Pioneers, 5-1, on Thursday night at Baxter Arena.

The RedHawks opened the game, scoring first for the second game in a row. Still, Denver's offensive performance in the second and third periods proved to be the difference-maker in the conference game, and the RedHawks weren't able to respond to the dynamic Pioneers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 1:34 1st (Miami 1-0) | For the second game in a row, the RedHawks scored the game's opening goal. Jack Olmstead had a chance and went right to the point, and Robby Drazner was able to get the rebound at the right circle. Chase Pletzke was able to get the puck right off the Pioneer goaltender's pad, and it trickled in to give the RedHawks the lead early. The assists for Drazner and Olmstead mark their first career points as RedHawks, and the goal from Pletzke was his second straight game-opening goal. 
• 18:58 1st (Denver 1-1) | Mike Benning shot the puck toward Ben Kraws, and freshman phenom Carter Savoie got the puck on his stick. Savoie was able to rip the puck in on the right-wing and get it past Kraws to tie the game in the last minute of the first frame.
• 1:31 2nd (Denver 2-1) | Steven Jandric got the puck from the left face-off circle and found an open Ryan Barrow. Barrow was in front with a chance and ripped a one-timer past Kraws to give the Pioneers the lead early in the second period.
• 1:40 2nd (Denver 3-1) | Barrow wasn't done after his first goal and tried to get a puck in along the boards. Kraws made a save, but Brett Stapley was able to get ahold of the loose puck from behind the net and capitalized on that rebound with a goal to extend the Denver lead to two.
• 2:41 3rd (Denver 4-1) | Cole Guttman got the puck from their defensive zone and went toward the Miami net on a breakaway. Guttman gave a quick pass to Benning at his right, and Benning went low glove to get the puck past Kraws.
• 11:59 3rd (Denver 5-1) | Jack Doremus had the puck at center ice and gave it to an open McKade Webster in front. Webster went behind the goal line and was able to tuck the puck in to score.

GAME NOTES:

• Miami was outshot the Pioneers on the night by a 37-23 tally. For the RedHawks, Derek Daschke led in individual shots on goal, with seven to his name. 
• Sophomore goaltender Ben Kraws saved 32 shots from a dynamic Denver squad.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks continue the adventures in the NCHC Pod with a conference game on Saturday, December 12. Puck drop for the rematch against the #18/RV Omaha Mavericks is scheduled for a 9:05 p.m. (ET) start at Baxter Arena.

The 2020-21 Miami ice hockey season is proudly sponsored by Kroger and Cintas.