ST. CLOUD, Minn.— The RedHawks were the first ones to score in the conference match-up with the first goal of the season from Rourke Russell, but the early final frame goal for the Huskies lifted No. 6 Saint Cloud State past the Miami RedHawks, 3-2, on Friday night at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

The Huskies edged the RedHawks to get the first win on the weekend in Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud improves to 10-6-0 (10-6-0-2-2-0 NCHC), while Miami dropped to 4-9-2 (4-9-2-0-1-0 NCHC) on the 2020-21 season so far. Russell and Bray Crowder accounted for the RedHawks' two goals, while goaltender Ludvig Persson made 37 saves to keep the score close in all 60 minutes of action.

 HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 14:46 1st (Miami 1-0) | After finally getting the puck in their end, the RedHawks found themselves with an opportunity. Matt Barry was at the left circle and found an open Rourke Russell at the blue line, and the California native was able to bury a slapshot from the point to give Miami the first lead of the game. Russell's goal, the only one in the first frame, was his first on the season.
• 3:15 2nd (SCSU 1-1) | After the RedHawks were called for a cross-checking penalty, the Huskies found the best time to try to even the score. Sam Hentges completed a stretch pass with the puck as he was splitting the Miami defense into their offensive zone, but Persson saved the initial shot. Veeti Miettinen was right in front to get the rebound and knocked it home to tie the game at one on the power play.
• 11:07 2nd (Miami 2-1) | Russell got his stick on the puck after a Husky turnover, and Russell found an open Barry toward the net. Barry dished it to his right side to Bray Crowder, who got the puck in on the far side, just under the crossbar to give the RedHawks a 2-1 lead.
• 18:54 2nd (SCSU 2-2) | With just a little over a minute left in the clock in the second period, the Huskies were eager to tie the game. Nick Perbix made an excellent pass to Zach Okabe from behind the net. Okabe decided to give the puck to Jami Krannila, who was in front to jam the puck in past Persson to tie the game at two, after two periods of play in Minnesota. 
• 2:03 3rd (SCSU 3-2) | Miettinen tried to score, Monte Graham dove to block it. Miettinen instead found Okabe in front on his right side, and Okabe jumped in and got the puck in to give the Huskies their first lead of the game to open the third.

GAME NOTES:

• The Huskies outshot Miami by a 40-22 margin. Derek Daschke had the Miami lead in individual shots on goal, with 4.
• The RedHawks had a considerable advantage in blocked shots with 19, to the Huskies' three.
• Russell, Barry, Casey Gilling, and Matthew Barbolini all went +2 on the night, being on the ice for both Miami goals.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks continue the 2021 portion of the schedule game two against the Huskies tomorrow. Puck drop for the second game of the series on January 23 is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

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