DULUTH, Minn. — The Miami University hockey team mounted a furious comeback in the third period Friday night, but fell one goal short in a 3-2 loss at (RV) Minnesota Duluth. The RedHawks (7-20-4, 2-16-3 NCHC) trailed 3-0 in the third period before PJ Fletcher and Ryan Savage broke through with goals 74 seconds apart. The Bulldogs (14-16-1, 9-12-0 NCHC) were able to kill off a five-minute penalty in the latter half of the period and multiple Miami extra-attacker scoring chances in the final minute to hold on for a 3-2 decision.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• 8:44 1st (UMD 1-0) | The home team got on the scoreboard first, as Dominic James carried the puck up the ice and sent a pass across from left to right in the attacking zone. Wyatt Kaiser was there to get a shot off, and the ensuing rebound bounced to Luke Loheit for a close-range finish.
• 13:50 1st (UMD 2-0) | UMD doubled its lead later in the period. As the Bulldogs worked the puck around the Miami zone, Luke Mylymok laid a pass off to Jesse Jacques along the boards. Jacques weaved his way into the middle and finally fed Darian Gotz for a long shot from near the right point. With a pair of Bulldogs in front to screen Ludvig Persson, Gotz's shot got through and found the back of the net to make it 2-0.
• 5:40 2nd (UMD 3-0) The Bulldogs picked up a third goal on a backhand finish by Owen Gallatin in the middle stanza. Gallatin collided momentarily with a Miami skater but recovered to keep possession and maneuver across the width of the crease to score. Quinn Olson and Kyle Bettens were credited with assists on the play.
• 3:40 3rd (Miami 3-1) Miami struck early in the third period on a brilliant play by Fletcher. The junior swiped the puck from the Bulldogs at the edge of the offensive zone and knocked it loose to Red Savage. Savage's quick return feed found Fletcher for a shot that slid under UMD's Matthew Thiessen to pull the visitors within 3-1.
• 4:54 3rd (Miami 3-2) The RedHawks capitalized on their newfound momentum with a second goal just over a minute later. After Isaac Howard swung and missed on a shot, Chase Pletzke snatched the puck and started a 3-on-2 break the other way. Pletzke dumped it in deep, but Thiessen's clearing attempt was held in by Hampus Rydqvist. Rydqvist fired a shot that Ryan Savage redirected at a perfect angle to trim the Bulldogs' margin to 3-2.

 
NOTES

• Persson made 35 saves on 38 UMD shots (.921 save percentage).
• The RedHawks had 20 shots on goal in the third period, the most of any period this season for Miami.
• Rydqvist's six shots on goal was a career high, while Thomas Daskas matched his career high with four SOG.
• Red Savage tallied his first point since Dec. 10.
• Rydqvist produced his 10th assist of the season and the 25th point of his career.
• Ryan Savage was named the Second Star of the Game.

 
UP NEXT:
Miami and Minnesota Duluth will conclude their two-game series Saturday, Feb. 25. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET at AMSOIL Arena.