OXFORD, Ohio - Matthew Barbolini and Jack Olmstead scored second-period goals to help the Miami hockey team battle back vs. No. 5/5 Denver Saturday, but the Pioneers were able to find a tally in the third period and added a late empty-netter to defeat the RedHawks 4-2 at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena. The win pushes Denver up to 18-5-1 on the season and 11-3-0 in the NCHC, while Miami falls to 4-20-2 on the season and 1-14-1 in the NCHC.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 13:03 1st (Denver 1-0) | Denver opened the scoring a little over halfway through the first period. Bobby Brink sent the puck toward Miami's net, where it was chipped over to Brett Stapley and then to Sean Behrens. Behrens knocked it in to put Denver up 1-0.
• 7:50 2nd (Denver 2-0) | A penalty call on Miami gave Denver a power play opportunity, which they were able to capitalize on to stretch the lead to 2-0. Passing between Stapley, Massimo Rizzo and Cameron Wright, the Pioneers were able to control the puck through the RedHawks' zone, with Wright ultimately sending the puck into the back of the net.
• 9:39 2nd (Miami 2-1) | Miami quickly responded with a power play goal of its own to get on the board.  After Ryan Savage laid off a pass to Derek Daschke at the blue line, Daschke took a deep shot that Barbolini tipped home, with a quick review confirming the 2-1 score.
• 19:04 2nd (Miami 2-2) | The RedHawks tied things up in the final minute of the second period. Red Savage passed the puck to John Sladic in Miami's zone to start a breakaway for Olmstead. Olmstead finished past Magnus Chrona to level the score at 2-all.
• 5:42 3rd (Denver 3-2) | Denver pulled ahead once again early in the third period. Behrens passed the puck to Stapley, who got a shot off that was deflected by Persson. Ryan Barrow grabbed the rebound and was able to maneuver it in, putting the Pioneers on top 3-2.
• 18:52 3rd (Denver 4-2) | After a couple of narrow Miami misses in the final minutes, Denver's McKade Webster grabbed the puck at center ice and sent it into the empty net to conclude the scoring.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Ludvig Persson made 42 saves and was named the Third Star of the Game.
• Each team netted one power play goal, with Denver going 1-5 and Miami finishing 1-3 on the man advantage.
• Barbolini's goal was his ninth of the season, which leads the RedHawks.
• Daschke picked up his team-leading 18th point of the season (2-16-18).

 
UP NEXT:
Miami is off next weekend and will return to action on Friday, Feb. 11 for a nationally-televised home game against Omaha. Puck drop at Cady Arena that night is set for 7 p.m.