BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Ferris State's Stepan Pokorny scored a shorthanded goal 1:48 into overtime to lift the host Bulldogs to a 4-3 victory over the Miami RedHawks Sunday afternoon.
 
Miami (1-1-0) had rallied to tie the game in the final minute of regulation with a dramatic shorthanded goal of its own after FSU (1-1-0) scored on a 5-on-3 power play with 1:34 remaining in the third period. With RedHawks goalie Logan Neaton pulled in favor of an extra skater, Jack Clement came through with his first goal of the season to force the extra session and give MU the momentum. However, Miami couldn't capitalize on the man advantage in OT and Pokorny tapped in a rebound of his own miss to earn the Bulldogs a split of the weekend series.
 
The RedHawks took an early lead in the first period on PJ Fletcher's first career goal only 2:43 into the game, and led 2-1 after 20 minutes thanks to a Matt Barry score. Neither team scored in the second period, but Ferris State got two consecutive goals in the third period, including the game's only power-play tally.
 
Neaton went the distance in goal for MU and made 29 saves on 33 shots in his RedHawks debut. Michael Regush was credited with two assists for Miami.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 02:43 1st (Miami 1-0) | The RedHawks started things off on the front foot, as PJ Fletcher knocked home a picture-perfect pass from Thomas Daskas to give Miami a 1-0 lead. 
• 07:21 1st (Ferris State 1-1) | Mitch Deelstra answered back with a one-timer in front of the goal off assists from Stepan Pokorny and Kaleb Ergang.
• 15:47 1st (Miami 2-1) | The RedHawks used a stifling penalty kill to keep the puck in the attacking zone, paying it off only 11 seconds after the FSU power play ended with a Matt Barry goal, assisted by Michael Regush.
• 04:08 3rd (Ferris State 2-2) | After a scoreless second period, Bulldogs winger Antonio Venuto blasted a one-time shot early in the third period to pull FSU even.
• 18:26 3rd (Ferris State 3-2) | MU was whistled for two penalties less than a minute apart late in the third period, and Bradley Marek used the 5-on-3 advantage to give Ferris State its first lead of the contest.
• 19:00 3rd (Miami 3-3) | Although still shorthanded, the RedHawks managed to tie the game with just 60 seconds remaining and their net empty. Regush sent the puck across from the left corner off a pass from Chase Gresock, and Jack Clement did the rest, beating Bulldogs goalie Logan Stein to even the game at 3-all.
• 1:48 OT (Ferris State 4-3) | While the RedHawks began overtime well, killing off the final remaining seconds of the penalty and then earning a power play of their own, MU couldn't convert. After a long Miami possession in the attacking zone, Pokorny burst the other way, following his initial shot with an unassisted tap-in to finish the game.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Miami was outshot 33-30 in the contest. Chase Gresock and Robby Drazner each attempted five shots for the Red and White.
• Neaton made 15 of his 29 saves in the third period. FSU's Logan Stein (27 saves on the night) stopped a dozen MU shots in the second period, the first scoreless frame of the young season for both teams.
• There were 13 penalties called in the game, seven against Miami and six against Ferris State.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:

Miami has the upcoming weekend off. The RedHawks get back in action Friday night, October 15, traveling to Michigan State University to kick off a two-game non-conference series.