OXFORD, Ohio - Despite a series of back-and-forth goals and key saves by Ludvig Persson, the Miami University hockey team came up just short against No. 7 North Dakota Saturday, falling 5-4 in Oxford. The RedHawks were able to tie up the game early on in the first period, but fell behind 3-1 and couldn't get closer than a one-goal deficit the rest of the way. The loss drops Miami to 2-7-1 on the season and 1-3-0 in the NCHC, while North Dakota rises to 8-3-0 on the season and 4-0-0 in the NCHC.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 1:37 1st (North Dakota 1-0) | North Dakota came out of the gate swinging, earning the first goal of the game in under two minutes. A Miami faceoff victory could not be turned into a goal, as the Fighting Hawks took control after a missed RedHawk shot. Moving into Miami territory, North Dakota moved the puck around from Connor Ford to Brady Ferner and eventually into possession of Ashton Calder, who was able to land a shot into the net.
• 5:56 1st (Miami 1-1) | The RedHawks were able to quickly respond and pick up their first goal. After a blocked shot from North Dakota, a bad pass sent the puck wayward to be picked up by Chase Pletzke, who was able to make a breakaway and slip the puck past the Fighting Hawks goalie unassisted, tying the game up.
• 7:57 1st (North Dakota 2-1) | North Dakota wasted no time in taking back the lead. After a missed shot on goal, Calder recovered and took the puck around the back of Miami's net to Chris Jandric. A pass to Tyler Kleven put the Fighting Hawks in position to score another goal, with Kleven's shot to the back of the net securing it.
• 12:04 1st (North Dakota 3-1) | North Dakota doubled its lead later in the period, once again infiltrating the zone, with Ethan Frisch getting a shot off that was saved by Persson. UND quickly recovered, with Jake Sanderson able to grab the puck and send it through for the Fighting Hawks to extend their lead. Nick Portz was credited with the assist.
• 16:44 1st (Miami 3-2) | Miami stayed within striking distance, rallying to pick up one more goal before intermission. After a North Dakota penalty for too many men on the ice, Miami was able to swing the momentum back. The RedHawks moved the puck from Derek Daschke to Matt Barry, who sent a one-timer over to Michael Regush that was zapped into the net.
• 5:15 2nd (North Dakota 4-2) | North Dakota began the second period with a series of shots on goal, culminating in a missed shot from Sanderson being immediately recovered by Calder, who nudged the puck between Persson's legs for the first goal of the second period.
• 7:24 2nd (Miami 4-3) | Miami got a 5-on-3 chance after a pair of UND penalties in the second period, and the RedHawks made the visitors pay, using a patient attack to keep possession in the offensive zone with the two-man advantage. Ultimately, the puck found its way to Daschke, with a pass to Regush that was deflected away from the goal onto the stick of Matthew Barbolini for another MU power-play goal.
• 2:34 3rd (North Dakota 5-3) | North Dakota once again started a period with a goal less than three minutes in. Following an elbowing penalty call on Miami, North Dakota entered the power play strong, but the RedHawks suddenly found themselves in control, managing a shot on goal that went wide. The Fighting Hawks rebounded quickly and were able to push back to Miami's side, moving the puck from Costantini to Sanderson and finally to Riese Gaber, whose shot bounced between the goal posts and into the net.
• 17:04 3rd (Miami 5-4) | A struggle in the corner of North Dakota's zone caused confusion over the puck, with Red Savage managing to tip it out and into PJ Fletcher's possession. Fletcher ripped a shot from deep to pull the RedHawks within one with 2:56 remaining in the game, but Miami was unable to capitalize with an equalizer in the final minutes.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Sanderson, Calder and Regush were named as the Three Stars of the Game.
• Daschke's two assists give him a team-high seven this season. He currently leads the Red and White with nine points on the year (2-7-9).
• Regush posted his second multi-point game of the season for the RedHawks. The Cornell transfer also tallied the 25th goal of his college career.
• Pletzke earned his second goal of the season and the 10th of his career at Miami.
• Barbolini scored for the third time in the last four games.
• Fletcher picked up his second career goal and his fifth point of the season (2-3-5).
• North Dakota ended the game with 36 shots on goal to Miami's 15; Ludvig Persson finished with 31 saves for MU.
• Miami scored on the power play for the fifth consecutive game, converting two of four opportunities; North Dakota was 1-3 with the man advantage.

 
UP NEXT:
Miami hockey returns to action Friday, Nov. 19 for the start of a two-game series at Denver. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET.