RedHawks Fall 5-4 to Niagara on New Year's Eve

Saturday, December 31

Oxford, Ohio

4:05 p.m.

Miami University

7-11-2

Niagara

10-6-2

Niagara

Miami (OH)

Photo by: Bella Sagarese

RedHawks Fall 5-4 to Niagara on New Year's Eve

12/31/2022 6:38:00 PM | Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Ohio — The Miami University hockey team rallied back from a 3-0 deficit, but Albin Nilsson's goal with 19 seconds left proved to be the difference as Niagara defeated the RedHawks 5-4 Saturday. Miami (7-11-2, 2-7-1 NCHC) scored four goals in the last two periods to tie the game, but the Purple Eagles (10-6-2, 5-5-2 AHA) escaped with the series split in the final minute.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

7:05 1st (Niagara 1-0) | Niagara claimed the game's opening goal in the first period. As the RedHawks attempted to clear the puck from behind their own net, Casey Carreau got his stick on it and passed over to Carter Randklev, who made the one-timer into the net.
12:59 1st (Niagara 2-0) | The Purple Eagles added another goal in the first after Drew Vieten intercepted an attempted Miami pass. Vieten quickly knocked the puck over to Johnny Wescoe, who moved closer to the net before sending it to Ryan Naumovski for the shot that made it 2-0.
19:49 1st (Niagara 3-0) | A shorthanded goal extended Niagara's lead in the last minute of the period. With Miami moving toward the Purple Eagles' zone, Nilsson intercepted the puck and took it on a breakaway, finishing the play for a 3-0 cushion.
19:58 1st (Miami 3-1) | The RedHawks responded mere seconds later with a power-play goal. Joe Cassetti won the faceoff, flipping the puck to Hampus Rydqvist, who delivered it right back across Niagara's blue line. Cassetti took it the rest of the way, putting Miami on the board just before time expired.
3:38 2nd (Miami 3-2) | Only a few minutes into the second period, the RedHawks tightened the gap to 3-2. John Waldron grabbed the puck and maneuvered around the Purple Eagles' defense toward the goal, dropping off to Matthew Barbolini in front for the finish.
7:05 2nd (Niagara 4-2) | Miami attempted to clear the puck around its goal, but had it knocked away by Lars Rodne and bounced over to Ryan Cox, who landed a shot into the net to put Niagara back up by two.
9:20 2nd (Miami 4-3) | Two minutes later, the RedHawks once again trimmed the margin to a single goal. Fighting for the puck against the Purple Eagles' wall, Artur Turansky chopped it back to Rydqvist, who made a pass across to Ryan Savage for a long shot in.
9:04 3rd (Miami 4-4) | Miami finally pulled even midway through the third period. Axel Kumlin took a pass in the RedHawks' zone, sending it over to PJ Fletcher to bring into Niagara territory. Fletcher made a quick delivery to Turansky, who hit the back of the net to tie the game at 4-4.
19:41 3rd (Niagara 5-4) | With 19 seconds left in regulation, the Purple Eagles put up the game-winning goal. Shane Ott picked up the puck behind Miami's net, sending it in front to Nilsson for his second goal of the night.

GAME NOTES:

Miami captured 31 of 59 faceoffs in the game, including a 17-4 advantage on the dot in the opening period.
Barbolini and Waldron each produced a point for the fourth consecutive game.
Turansky posted his first career multi-point game and was named Second Star of the Game.
Rydqvist, the Third Star, matched his career highs with two points and five shots on goal.
Ludvig Persson made 28 saves in net for Miami.
The RedHawks did not commit any penalties in the game.

UP NEXT:
Miami resumes NCHC play on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 at Denver. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET vs. the Pioneers at Magness Arena.