KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team got off to a hot start in its 2021 home debut, but saw visiting Miami rally for a 3-1 victory on Saturday night at Lawson Ice Arena.
Ethen Frank was the goal scorer for Western Michigan (2-7-2, 2-7-2-0-0-0 NCHC) with assists from Cole Gallant and Drew Worrad. Miami (3-7-1, 3-7-1-0-1-0 NCHC) saw goals from Derek Daschke, Phil Knies and Hampus Rydqvist.
Austin Cain made 17 saves in the effort for the Broncos, while Ludvig Persson continued an impressive campaign in goal for Miami with 27 saves. WMU went 1-for-2 on the power play while the RedHawks were 1-for-three.
WMU controlled the puck for most of the opening period and held a 1-0 lead at the first intermission to show for it. Frank connected on a power-play opportunity after Gallant took a pass from Worrad, worked the puck in front of the goal, then slid it to Frank at the right dot who beat a sliding Ludvig. It was part of a 12-6 advantage in shots for WMU in the period.
Miami responded in the second period, quickly tying the game on a power-play goal of its own. Casey Gilling slid a pass across ice from the half-wall to Barry, who then found Daschke for the one-timer from the point.
The Broncos appeared to briefly re-take the lead when Scooter Brickey stole the puck as Miami was trying to exit its defensive zone and he threw a knuckler by Ludvig from the blue line. Video review determined Brickey to have used a high stick to win the puck and the game remained tied.
After some up-and-down action, Miami struck to take the lead midway through the period. Phil Knies beat Cain with assists from Ben Lown and Monte Graham to make it 2-1, the score that would carry into the second intermission.
The score remained that way through most of a highly competitive third period before Hampus Rydqvist sealed the win for the visitors with an empty-net goal.
The Broncos and RedHawks return to Lawson Ice Arena for game two of the series tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. ET.
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