OXFORD, Ohio — Miami took a 2-1 lead into the final period against the defending national champions, but No. 3 Denver rallied late to edge the RedHawks 4-2 at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena Saturday. Matthew Barbolini and John Waldron scored for Miami (4-3-1, 0-2-0 NCHC), while Carter Mazur produced two goals to lead the Pioneers (6-2-0, 2-0-0 NCHC). Ludvig Persson made 38 saves in net for the RedHawks, matching his season high.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 1st 18:54 (Miami 1-0) | Miami collected the only goal of the opening period. Two Denver players collided in the RedHawks' zone, freeing the puck for PJ Fletcher to grab and move up the ice for a quick-developing 2-on-1 break. Fletcher's pass across to Barbolini was perfectly-timed and Barbolini did the rest, finishing the play to put Miami up 1-0.
• 2nd 5:16 (Denver 1-1) | The Pioneers responded early in the second period. After moving the puck into Miami's zone, Massimo Rizzo flicked a pass toward the goal and onto the stick of Kyle Mayhew. Another quick pass against the net to Casey Dornbach allowed the tying goal to be knocked in.
• 2nd 8:45 (Miami 2-1) | A double-minor penalty called on Denver created an opportunity for the RedHawks, and they took advantage to regain the lead. Sliding the puck around the Pioneers' zone, Axel Kumlin took a long shot toward the net that was deflected to Artur Turansky. Turansky dropped it back to Waldron, who fired a shot, grabbed the rebound, and fired again. Waldron's first career goal gave the Red and White a 2-1 lead.
• 3rd 4:30 (Denver 2-2) | Denver tied things up again just over four minutes into the third period. Shai Buium brought the puck behind the Pioneers' net, sending it up the wall to Rizzo at center ice. Rizzo made a pass across to Mazur, who moved up the ice and flipped the puck in to make it 2-2.
• 3rd 12:49 (Denver 3-2) | On a power play opportunity, Mike Benning tried jamming the puck in for Denver, getting caught up at the net. Mazur recovered, coming around the back and passing back to Rizzo, before receiving it right back and tapping in to give the Pioneers the lead for good.
• 3rd 18:48 (Denver 4-2) | Miami pulled Persson for the extra man advantage, but Benning took the puck near the Pioneers' goal and sent it up to Rizzo, whose shot secured the empty-netter.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Persson, who was named the Third Star of the Game, made his 25th consecutive start for the RedHawks.
• Miami killed off five of Denver's six power plays and is now 30-for-36 on the penalty kill this season (83.3%).
• The RedHawks took the advantage on the faceoff, winning 33 draws to the Pioneers' 30.
• Miami players blocked 14 shots, led by five from Hampus Rydqvist.
• Barbolini's goal gives him a team-high eight points on the season (4-4-8).

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks continue NCHC play next weekend with a two-game series at Western Michigan. Puck drop on Friday, Nov. 4 is set for 7 p.m. in Kalamazoo, Mich.