Ryan Savage
Mark Kuhlmann
4
Winner Western Mich. WMU 3-8-2
1
Miami (OH) MIA 4-8-1
Winner
Western Mich. WMU
3-8-2
4
Final
1
Miami (OH) MIA
4-8-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Western Mich. WMU 1 1 2 4
Miami (OH) MIA 1 0 0 1

Game Recap: Hockey |

RedHawks Drop Home Opener to Broncos in 4-1 Loss

OXFORD, Ohio — Ludvig Persson made 32 saves, and Ryan Savage got his first goal of the season, as the Western Michigan Broncos defeated the Miami RedHawks, 4-1 at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena on Friday night.

The RedHawks suffered their first defeat on the 2021 portion of the season, falling to 4-8-1 (4-8-1-0-1-0 NCHC), while the Broncos improve to 3-8-0 (3-8-2-0-0-0 NCHC). Miami was outshot on the night by the Broncos, but Persson made several vital saves to keep the game close in the first two frames of action. 

Both teams recorded at least one power-play goal on the season, which marks the third consecutive game that the RedHawks have collected a tally on the man advantage.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • 3:13 1st (Miami 1-0) | To start the first period, Miami had some quick passes on their end, starting with senior forward Casey Gilling at the blue line. Gilling got it to Matt Barry, who was at the left circle and then found Ryan Savage in the slot with a quick wrist shot landing in the top corner to open up the scoring. Savage's goal, his first on the season, was on the power play to put the RedHawks ahead.

  • 19:59 1st (WMU 1-1) | While Persson tried to keep the puck out of the net in the last remaining seconds of the first, the Broncos were itching for a goal to tie it up. Michael Joyaux shot the puck first, and Ty Glover got his stick on the rebound. Glover gave the puck to Ronnie Allard, who scored and knotted the game at one with just seconds remaining on the clock.

  • 8:19 2nd (WMU 2-1) | To open up the second period, the RedHawks found themselves at a disadvantage when called for a penalty, and the Broncos took charge. Aidan Fulp and Allard passed the puck among themselves at the blueline, and Josh Passolt got the puck from Fulp at the right circle and ripped it past Persson. 

  • 13:17 3rd (WMU 3-1) | The RedHawks found themselves down on the penalty kill late in the game when Ethan Frank found Drew Worrad in front of the Miami net. Worrad, under pressure, made a quick pass over Ty Glover, who took the puck from his forehand to backhand and lifted it past Persson for a power-play goal.

  • 18:34 3rd (WMU 4-1) | Western Michigan's Paul Washe won a puck battle on the wall in their end and then flipped it into the neutral zone. Jason Polin picked up the puck with speed all alone and took it into the Miami end for an empty-net goal. 

GAME NOTES:

  • Western Michigan outshot the RedHawks by a 37-17 tally. Savage led Miami with individual shots on goal, with four.

  • Miami led in blocked shots to keep the game close, with a 10-4 margin.

  • Persson saved 30 of 33 shots on net for a .917 save percentage.

 

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks continue the 2021 portion of the schedule with game two against the Broncos tomorrow. Puck drop for the second game of the series on January 9 is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Goggin Ice Arena in Oxford.

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

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