OXFORD, Ohio – Despite its best comeback attempt, the Western Michigan hockey team was upended by Miami, 4-3, Saturday night at Goggin Ice Center. 

WMU got goals from Dylan Wendt, Matteo Costantini and Samuel Sjolund in the game. Luke Grainger finished the night with two assists. 

FIRST PERIOD
It didn't take long for the WMU offense to get going, thanks to a Miami penalty in the opening minutes. Colangelo hit the post on the first shot of the man advantage. Eventually, the Broncos worked the puck around to Wendt and he buried his 17th goal of the season to put WMU in front 1-0 not even two minutes into the contest. 

However, just over a minute later, Miami would find the equalizer. From there, Miami would end up with a two-man advantage. But Cameron Rowe and the WMU defense stood tall and worked back to full strength. 

Just over eight minutes into the game, the RedHawks would find another goal to go in front 2-1. Not even 30 seconds after that, WMU found another opportunity on the power play. Grainger, Sjolund and Colangelo each got shots, but Miami goaltender Logan Neaton was able to keep it a 2-1 Miami lead. 

The Broncos got another power play chance with just over two minutes left in the first frame. Neaton was able to rob two quality scoring chances, and the RedHawks carried a one-goal lead into the second period. 

SECOND PERIOD
Miami was able to jump in front 3-1 on the power play early in the second frame. Just a couple minutes after that, Western Michigan went back on the power play, getting a look from Alex Bump, who had a goal robbed by Neaton. 

Not too long after that power play, Costantini found some space in the middle of the ice and fired one on net and into traffic. The puck found the back of the net and brought WMU back within one. 

Down the stretch of the period, WMU went back on the power play, with Miami being sent to the box for hooking. As time was winding down in the period, Colangelo's shot hit the crossbar. The Broncos carried 27 seconds of power play time over to the final period. 

THIRD PERIOD
After killing off the remaining power play time, the RedHawks were able to extend their lead to 4-2 early in the third frame. However, a couple minutes after the goal, Miami was assessed a major penalty. 

Now on the power play for five minutes, Western Michigan would try to get back into the game. Ethan Phillips and Zak Galambos had the most looks on the man advantage, but Miami would do just enough to get back to full strength and maintain its two-goal advantage. 

Not too long after that penalty expired, Sjolund brought WMU within one, putting a rebound in the back of the net. A penalty was also called on Miami, giving the Broncos a goal and a power play. 

Western Michigan would get three shots on the power play, but Miami hung on to its one-goal lead as the game progressed to the late stages. WMU was eventually given a major penalty with under five minutes to play, making the Broncos shorthanded the rest of the way. 

With under a minute to play, the Brown and Gold pulled Rowe from net to get back to even strength. Phillips nearly tied the game, but Miami somehow kept the puck out of the net. In the end, the RedHawks would hold on to win, 4-3. 

UP NEXT
WMU will return home next weekend to host Minnesota Duluth. Puck drop for Friday, Jan. 19 is set for 7 p.m. at Lawson Arena.