DULUTH, Minn. — The Miami University hockey team rallied late to force overtime on an extra-attacker goal by
Ryan Sullivan, but Minnesota Duluth rebounded to post a 3-2 win in the three-on-three extra session.
The RedHawks (7-15-2, 1-12-1 NCHC) earn a point in the conference standings, while the Bulldogs (10-11-4, 6-7-1 NCHC) pick up two points in the league race.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- 4:59 2nd (UMD 1-0) | Ben Steeves put the hosts on top with a power-play goal in the middle stanza. The Bulldogs worked the puck around their offensive zone from Owen Gallatin to Aaron Pionk at the top, with Pionk sending a pass to his right for a Steeves one-timer from the top of the circle.
- 11:23 2nd (Miami 1-1) | The RedHawks evened things up later in the period, as Hampus Rydqvist picked up a loose puck along the boards in the neutral zone and started a quick 3-on-2. Rydqvist's shot was saved by Zach Stejskal, but PJ Fletcher was in perfect position to deposit the rebound in the back of the net and make it 1-1.
- 15:56 2nd (UMD 2-1) | Riley Bodnarchuk gave Minnesota Duluth the lead back before the second intermission with a shot from near the blue line off assists from Luke Bast and Kyle Bettens.
- 18:11 3rd (Miami 2-2) | With the Miami net empty, Sullivan forced overtime by knocking home a shot with 1:49 to play in the third period. In a wild sequence near the net, Albin Nilsson and Rydqvist both had opportunities to jam the puck in before Sullivan finally did the honors. Although it wasn't initially ruled a goal, video review eventually awarded the equalizing tally to the RedHawks.
- 3:15 OT (UMD 3-2) | Although Miami controlled possession for most of the overtime, Anthony Menghini converted the game-winner for UMD after skating behind the RedHawks' net and coming out the other side for a shot. Jack Smith picked up an assist on the play for the Bulldogs.
GAME NOTES:
- Sullivan was named the game's Second Star and lit the lamp for the second consecutive night.
- Rydqvist matched his career high with two assists and had his fifth career multi-point game.
- Fletcher's goal extended his point streak to three games and gave him 21 points on the year to match Matthew Barbolini for the team lead.
- Bruno Bruveris made 21 saves in net for the Red and White as Miami out-shot UMD 33-24.
- Artur Turansky equaled his career high with five shots on goal, while Rihards Simanovičs was credited with a career-high three.
- Tanyon Bajzer made his Miami debut.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The RedHawks begin a four-game homestand next weekend when North Dakota comes to Oxford. Puck drop on Friday, Feb. 2 is set for 7:05 p.m.