KALAMAZOO, Mich. — After scoring five unanswered goals, the Miami University ice hockey team handed Western Michigan their eighth loss of the season on Sunday evening. With the 5-1 victory over the Broncos, the RedHawks earned their first road trip sweep since January of 2016. 

The game was tied going into the second period, but Miami scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame, including two on the power play, in a span of just 3:35 to take their first lead. Miami improved to 4-7-1 (4-7-1-0-1-0 NCHC) and wins their second in a row, while Western Michigan fell to 2-8-2 (2-8-2-0-0-0 NCHC). The RedHawks currently have 14 points in the conference standings and are tied with Colorado College for the possession of sixth-place in the NCHC.

Freshman Joe Cassetti scored his first two career goals on the power play to give Miami the go-ahead early in the second period. Ten other players recorded a point in the victory, including goals from Ben Lown, John Sladic, and Robby Drazner, while Matt Barry and Phil Knies also collected two assists. Rookie goaltender Ludvig Persson stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced to grab his fourth win on the season. 

 HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 11:13 1st (WMU 1-0) | The RedHawks tried to get the puck to their offensive end, but the Broncos were able to get their hands on the puck to provide an opportunity. Josh Passolt had the puck along the boards and found an open Luke Grainger, who was right in front and got a wrist shot in the back of the net to give Western Michigan the lead early.
• 13:01 1st (Miami 1-1) | Matt Barry got his hands on the puck behind the net and was able to find Knies close by. Knies attempted a shot, but WMU goaltender Austin Cain saved it. Cain couldn't see the rebound, and Lown slid in a wrist shot to tie the game for Miami going into the first intermission.
• 2:33 2nd (Miami 2-1) | After the Broncos were called for a high-sticking penalty, the RedHawks wanted to score to put themselves ahead to open the second. Casey Gilling was at the right side point and passed the puck to Derek Daschke at the blue line. Daschke shot it toward the net at the point, and Cassetti was set up in front and got his stick on the puck to score his first collegiate goal.
• 4:44 2nd (Miami 3-1) | A little over two minutes after the last goal, Western was called for a cross-checking penalty, and Miami found themselves with an opportunity to score again. Barry shot the puck from the left side circle, and Ryan Savage got his stick on the shot as it went off the goal post. The Broncos weren't able to find the rebound, and Cassetti got his stick on it to score his second of the game.
• 6:08 2nd (Miami 4-1) | To close out the scoring for the second frame, Andrew Sinard dumped the puck toward the Miami end, and Sladic was able to get a breakaway after sneaking in past the Bronco defense and score stick side to increase the Miami lead to three.
• 6:14 3rd (Miami 5-1) | Matthew Barbolini shot the puck toward the goal, and the Bronco goaltender blocked it. Knies got his hand on the rebound and set up Drazner for a one-timer at the high slot, and Drazner was able to fire the puck into the back of the net to extend the Miami lead and seal the win for Miami.

GAME NOTES:

• Western Michigan outshot Miami on the night by a 32-22 margin. Knies led the RedHawks in individual shots on goal with four.
• Miami won the special teams battle. The RedHawks went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and 2-for-3 on the power play, denying the Broncos the chance to score with the man advantage. 
• Miami also led in blocked shots, with ten to Western Michigan's four.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks continue the 2021 portion of the schedule with the Broncos next weekend. Puck drop for the first game of the series on January 8 is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Goggin Ice Arena in Oxford.

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