DULUTH, Minn. — Freshman goaltender Ludvig Persson saved 55 shots from a dynamic Bulldog squad, but Minnesota Duluth was able to capitalize on a late power play in the third period, as the RedHawks fell, 3-1, to the Bulldogs on Saturday evening at AMSOIL Arena.

With 27 saves in the first period alone from the freshman, Persson breaks the Miami single-game record for most saves in a period, which is a record that has been held since 1989 (previously held by Lee Cannon, 11-18-89 vs. Western Michigan). Persson's 55 total saves in the game is also an NCHC record. The rookies for Miami continued to see the scoresheet, as Matthew Barbolini scored the lone RedHawk goal early in the second frame for his fourth on the year, which ties for the team lead. With the road loss, the RedHawks are currently 4-14-2 on the season, while Duluth races to first place in the conference with the victory and a 12-5-2 record.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 12:53 1st (UMD 1-0) | Just like last night, the Bulldogs were the first ones on the board. Hunter Lellig passed the puck to fellow defender Matt Anderson, and Anderson tried to get the puck in from the blue line. The puck was redirected, and Nick Swaney was able to get it in high from the face-off dot.
• 4:12 2nd (Miami 1-1) | Dylan Moulton gave the puck to fellow defenseman Alec Mahalak at the blue line, and Mahalak passed it down the middle toward the goal. Barbolini got his stick on the puck up front, and high tipped it to make it a tie game to close the second period. Moulton's secondary assist on Miami's first goal in the game is the first point of his career.
• 11:12 3rd (UMD 2-1) | After the RedHawks were called for a slashing penalty, the Bulldogs found an opportunity to make the score in their favor. Kobe Roth passed the puck across to Cole Koepke, and Koepke scored from the left circle to make it a 2-1 game.
• 19:37 3rd (UMD 3-1) | In the last minute of the game, the RedHawks pulled Persson for a chance to score an equalizer. However, the puck got on the stick of Koepke, who quickly gave it to Roth to score an empty-netter to seal the win for Duluth.

GAME NOTES:

• The Bulldogs outshot the RedHawks by a 58-31 margin on the night. Barbolini had the RedHawks' lead in individual shots on goal, with five.
• Similar to other games against the two squads, blocked shots were closely contested all night. The Bulldogs had the advantage in the end, with 17 to Miami's 16.
• The RedHawks continued to see success in face-offs against the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, going 29-23 in the circle on the night. Joe Cassetti won 71.4% of his face-offs on the night for Miami.

WHAT'S NEXT:

The RedHawks come back home to Oxford for a home series against the Huskies of St. Cloud State. Puck drop for game one of the series is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start on Friday, February 12 at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena.

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