OXFORD, Ohio — Despite a push in the third period, the Miami University hockey team came up short in the opening game of its series against the No. 15 Omaha Mavericks, dropping a 3-1 decision on Friday night at Steve "Coach" Cady Arena.

Logan Neaton stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced for the RedHawks (7-18-4, 2-14-3 NCHC). Matthew Barbolini scored in the third period for Miami, but Omaha (16-10-3, 11-6-2 NCHC) put the game away with an empty-netter in the final minute.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 13:28 2nd (Omaha 1-0) | After a quiet first period, Omaha picked up the opening goal in the second. A Miami shot toward the Mavericks' goal deflected off UNO's goaltender and went to Jacob Guevin, who quickly sent it over to Brock Bremer to bring out of the Omaha zone. At center ice, Bremer passed across to Jonny Tychonick, who took the puck the rest of the way to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
• 6:48 3rd (Omaha 2-0) | The Mavericks extended their lead with a power-play goal in the third period. Tychonick held the puck at the RedHawks' blue line, looking for an opening and finally handing it off to Tyler Weiss. Weiss' one-timer toward the net bounced off Neaton to Matt Miller waiting in front. Miller guided the puck into the goal to pick up Omaha's second goal of the game.
• 16:03 3rd (Miami 2-1) | Miami got on the board with just under four minutes to play in regulation. On a power-play advantage, PJ Fletcher received the puck against the Mavericks' wall, passing over to Axel Kumlin at the blue line. Kumlin took a shot toward the net, where Barbolini chopped it in to make it 2-1.
• 19:02 3rd (Omaha 3-1) | In the final minutes of regulation, the RedHawks pulled Neaton from goal, but were unable to capitalize with the extra attacker. In the middle of Omaha's zone, Nolan Sullivan grabbed the puck and passed it against the wall to Cameron Berg, who guided it the rest of the way for the 3-1 empty netter to close out the game.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Neaton's 38 saves was a new season high, topping the 33 he made at Omaha on Jan. 21.
• Barbolini's goal earned him Third Star of the Game.
• Both teams went 1-6 on the power play.
• Fletcher led the RedHawks in shots, picking up four across the game.
• Miami blocked 16 shots in the contest, including a highlight-reel play from Zane Demsey that saved a goal in the third period.

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks and Mavericks conclude their two-game series Saturday, Feb. 18 at Cady Arena. Puck drop is set for 5:05 p.m.