OMAHA, Neb. — After a rough start to the 2020-21 season, Miami battled No. 3/3 Minnesota Duluth in a rematch of Sunday's matchup. But the Bulldogs found the right times to capitalize offensively, as the Miami University ice hockey team was defeated by the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Baxter Arena. The game was full of back and forth goals for both teams, as Miami scored in the first and third frames, and the Bulldogs scored twice in the second and the third. A late goal in the third for Duluth proved to be the difference-maker in the conference game, and the RedHawks weren't able to respond.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 2:03 1st (Miami 1-0) | The RedHawks scored the first frame's only goal. Just two minutes into the game, the Bulldogs got called for a penalty, and the RedHawks found themselves on the power play. The Bulldog goaltender misplayed the puck behind the net, and Bray Crowder was able to get a hold of the puck. Crowder was able to find Chase Pletzke, who was able to wrap it around and score his first point on the season on an open net. This power-play goal was also the first power-play goal for the RedHawks in the 2020-21 season.
• 6:58 2nd (UMD 1-1) | Wyatt Kaiser was along the boards near the Miami goal, dug the puck out of the corner, and tossed it toward the net. Tanner Laderoute was awaiting the puck in front and tipped the puck in from a redirection and tie the game at one.
• 7:55 2nd (UMD 2-1) | After the RedHawks were called for a penalty, the Bulldogs were given five minutes to capitalize with an extra player. Kaiser chucked the puck from the line toward the RedHawk goal, and the puck hit the stick of Noah Cates, who was able to tip the puck in at the left post to put Duluth ahead by one.
• 2:40 3rd (Miami 2-2) | This game has been full of back and forth plays, so it was the RedHawks' turn to score. Freshman forward Matthew Barbolini shot the puck toward the crease from behind the goal line, and the puck went in off a Duluth defender to tie the game at two. This goal marks the first collegiate goal for Barbolini and his second career point.
• 16:51 3rd (UMD 3-2) | Matt Cairns shot the puck toward the net from the blue line, and Kobe Roth got his stick on it and scored to give the Bulldogs the advantage and the win.
• 18:58 3rd (UMD 4-2) | Miami pulled the goaltender for an extra attacker for a chance to tie the game. The Bulldogs were able to score on a breakaway toward the empty net, and Nick Swaney was able to put the puck in the back of the net to seal the win for Duluth.

GAME NOTES:

• Miami was outshot the Bulldogs on the night by a 35-25 tally. For the RedHawks, Jack Olmstead and Hampus Rydqvist led in individual shots on goal, with five each. 
• Freshman goaltender Ludvig Persson kept the game close for Miami and saved 31 shots from a dynamic Duluth squad.
• The RedHawks went 1-for-5 on the power play, scoring their first power-play goal of the season in the first.
• Miami also led in blocked shots, with an 11-8 advantage. The RedHawks also led in face-off wins, with 32 to Duluth's 28.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks continue the adventures in the NCHC Pod with a conference game on Thursday, December 10. Puck drop for the game against the Denver Pioneers is scheduled for a 4:35 p.m. (ET) start at Baxter Arena.

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