BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Miami University rallied from a 4-2 deficit after the first period to post a 7-4 victory at Ferris State in both teams' 2021-22 season opener.

Six different RedHawks scored in the game, led by Ryan Savage's two goals. Miami outscored the hosts 4-0 in a decisive second period, with Chase Gresock providing the exclamation point on a blistering one-time power-play goal only seconds before intermission. Derek Daschke had a trio of assists to help spark the RedHawks' offensive attack.

MU (1-0-0) finished the night 3-6 on power play attempts, including two key scores in the first period that answered Bulldog goals.

Ludvig Persson went 60 minutes in net for Miami to pick up the victory, making 26 saves on the 30 shots he faced. Monte Graham and Joe Cassetti each had one goal and one assist, while Will Cullen added two assists for the RedHawks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 02:52 1st (Ferris State 1-0) | The Bulldogs struck first, taking advantage of a Miami giveaway to notch a shorthanded goal off the stick of Jake Transit. 
• 03:10 1st (Miami 1-1) | Ryan Savage found the top right corner of the net just 18 seconds later to capitalize on the RedHawks' first power play of the season, courtesy of assists from Will Cullen and Joe Cassetti.
• 10:57 1st (Ferris State 2-1) | FSU's Antonio Venuto converted a penalty shot after a tripping call against the RedHawks to put the home team back on top.
• 13:14 1st (Miami 2-2) | Once again, MU took advantage of the power play to equalize, with Michael Regush doing the honors off a pass from Matthew Barbolini and Derek Daschke.
• 15:37 1st (Ferris State 3-2) | The Bulldogs executed a 3-on-2 to perfection, with Marshall Moise tallying the fifth goal of a wild first period (assisted by Bradley Marek).
• 19:20 1st (Ferris State 4-2) | The only FSU power play of the first period was costly for the visitors, as Sam Skinner scored in the final minute before intermission to double the Bulldogs' lead. Liam MacDougall and Dallas Tulik were credited with assists on the play.
• 02:34 2nd (Miami 4-3) | The RedHawks made Ferris State pay for a turnover behind the net, which led to Jack Olmstead finding Monte Graham for Graham's first goal of the season.
• 03:08 2nd (Miami 4-4) | Miami seized the momentum with a second goal in the space of less than a minute. This one came from Joe Cassetti off assists from Thomas Daskas and Derek Daschke and tied things back up at 4-all.
• 14:04 2nd (Miami 5-4) | Ryan Savage scored his second goal of the game and the RedHawks' third consecutive unanswered goal at equal strength, beating Ferris State's Logan Stein to give Miami its first lead of the season.
• 19:45 2nd (Miami 6-4) | The RedHawks finished off a nearly perfect 20 minutes of hockey with a deep Chase Gresock rocket on the power play off a beautiful pass across from Matt Barry. MU captain Derek Daschke added his third assist of the season on the play.
• 19:53 3rd (Miami 7-4) | Chase Pletzke capped the scoring with an empty-net goal in the final few seconds of the game, assisted by Will Cullen (his second of the evening) and Monte Graham.

GAME NOTES:

• Miami was outshot 30-22 on the night. Four different RedHawks were credited with a team-high three shots apiece: Chase Gresock, Michael Regush, Red Savage, and Ryan Savage.
• The seven goals marks Miami's highest total under third-year head coach Chris Bergeron, topping the half dozen that MU scored at Colorado College on January 10, 2020. Tonight's 7-4 victory was the most goals the RedHawks have scored in a game since an 11-7 loss to Omaha in the 2017-18 season.
• MU won its season opener for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
• Will Cullen, Jack Clement, and PJ Fletcher led Miami in plus-minus; all three players were +2.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:

Miami and Ferris State are back in action Sunday in Big Rapids at 4:07 p.m. to conclude the two-game non-conference series.