OXFORD, Ohio — The Miami University hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to Mercyhurst Friday night at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena.
 
The RedHawks (4-8-1, 0-6-0 NCHC) and the Lakers (4-6-2, 2-2-2 AHA) traded goals across each period before Philip Waugh's game-winner in overtime. Matthew Barbolini scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Miami offense.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 7:59 1st (Mercyhurst 1-0) | The visitors got on the board first midway through the first period. Marko Reifenberger won the faceoff back toward Tommy Bannister and eventually to Adrien Bisson, who attempted a deep shot from near the blue line. Reifenberger redirected the puck in front of the goal to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead.
• 17:15 1st (Miami 1-1) | The RedHawks evened things up on a power-play goal by Barbolini later in the period. After an extended time of possession in the offensive zone and a series of shots, Raimonds Vitolins' cross-ice pass connected with PJ Fletcher. Fletcher fired from the circle and Barbolini tipped it perfectly past Mercyhurst's Owen Say.
• 3:37 2nd (Miami 2-1) | The start of the second period was all Miami, and the RedHawks capitalized on several minutes of sustained pressure with a go-ahead goal. Zane Demsey brought the puck from the top, passing off to Barbolini on his right. Barbolini hit Vitolins cutting across the crease, with Say getting a piece of the puck on the pass. Vitolins was able to stick with the play and jam it in on the second attempt, putting the RedHawks ahead again.
• 8:07 2nd (Mercyhurst 2-2) | Mercyhurst tied things up later in the middle stanza on a goal by Steven Agriogianis. A long pass ahead from Dustin Geregach to Kyler Head in the neutral zone started the Lakers' attack, and Head found Agriogianis behind the Miami defense for the finish.
• 0:38 3rd (Miami 3-2) | The RedHawks scored less than a minute into the third period on a backhander from in close by Barbolini. Fletcher initially sent the puck into the crease off a pass from Jack Clement, with both players collecting assists on the play.
• 11:19 3rd (Mercyhurst 3-3) | The visitors equalized midway through the third period. Bannister and Geregach brought the puck into Miami's zone with passes along the left boards. Keanan Stewart ended up with it in a two-on-one situation, choosing to shoot and score to make it 3-3.
• 3:52 OT (Mercyhurst 4-3) | After Miami was unable to score on a power play in the first portion of overtime, Waugh collected the game's final goal, taking a long pass from Mickey Burns and firing a shot into the net. Boris Skalos added an assist on the goal for the Lakers.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Barbolini produced three or more points in a game for the second time this year and was credited with a career-high 10 shots on goal to earn Second Star honors.
• With a goal and an assist, Vitolins now has three multi-point games in his first five career appearances at Cady Arena.
• Fletcher finished with two assists and extended his point streak to three games.
• Logan Neaton made 28 saves in net for Miami.
• The RedHawks out-shot Mercyhurst 41-32 for the game and attempted their most shots on goal in a game since Jan. 10, 2020.
• Miami captured 39 faceoffs to the Lakers' 23, as Vitolins won 19 of his 29 draws and William Hallén took 11 of 16.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:
The RedHawks and Lakers will battle again Sunday, Nov. 26 in Erie, Pa. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m. at Mercyhurst Ice Center.