Torrid Triumph: No. 6 Pioneers Edge Out RedHawks in Thrilling Denver Showdown

DENVER– The Miami University hockey squad returned to competition Friday evening against No. 6/6 Denver but suffered a defeat with a score of 4-1 at Magness Arena. Bruno Bruveris exhibited exceptional skill in goal, blocking 32 of 35 shots for the RedHawks (3-14-2, 0-9-0 NCHC). Colby Ambrosio scored for Miami, narrowing the visitors’ deficit to one goal before the Pioneers (16-5-0, 5-4-0 NCHC) sealed the match late.
 
EVENT SUMMARY

• 1:15 2nd (Denver 1-0) | Following a goalless first period, the Pioneers capitalized on a five-minute major penalty at the 0:28 mark of the second frame, scoring twice. Aidan Thompson initiated the scoring from the top of the left circle by ringing a shot off the post and in. Carter King and Zeev Buium provided assistance on the play.
• 3:35 2nd (Denver 2-0) | Eric Pohlkamp increased the Pios’ advantage just over two minutes later with yet another power-play goal. Pohlkamp received a pass across the center of the zone from Jake Fisher and deftly transitioned the puck from his skate to his stick for a swift finish. Samu Salminen was credited with the secondary assist.
• 18:32 2nd (Miami 2-1) | The RedHawks fought back to cut the deficit in half during the last 90 seconds of the period. Dylan Moulton seized the puck in the neutral zone and sent a pass forward to Raimonds Vitolins at the blue line. Vitolins then connected with Ambrosio in stride as the speedster maneuvered between two defenders before unleashing a shot past DU’s Matt Davis.
• 9:26 3rd (Denver 3-1) | Despite several opportunities for the RedHawks to find the equalizer in the first half of the third period, Denver’s Jack Devine extended the lead to two goals near the midpoint of the stanza. A pass from Thompson in the center of the rink to Buium on the wing initiated a 4-on-2 rush, culminating in Devine scoring on a shot that deflected off a RedHawks’ defender and entered the net.
• 18:07 3rd (Denver 4-1) | Miami opted to pull Bruveris with roughly three minutes left in the contest in hopes of a comeback, but an unassisted empty-net goal from Buium in the final moments established the final score.

 
NOTABLE POINTS

• Ambrosio’s tally placed him in a tie for the team lead in points (12) with Johnny Waldron and Matt Choupani.
• Five different RedHawks hindered at least two shots.
• Spencer Cox and Michael Quinn each recorded season-highs in shots on goal with three apiece.
• Vitolins recorded his 10th point of the season.

 

NEXT UP:
The RedHawks and Pioneers will compete once more on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET in Denver.