OXFORD, Ohio – The D3 Hockey Club traveled south to begin the 2019-20 season, as they played their first of two games in a weekend set against the RedHawks of Miami University. For a team starting the season with seven freshmen in the lineup, there were certainly some rookie jitters in game one.
The RedHawks were able to take advantage of their opportunities, and despite a flurry by the Panthers late in the second and early in the third period, Miami came away with the 7-2 win.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Austen Strauss started the game for the Panthers, stopping 17 of 20 shots, before being relieved halfway through the contest by freshman netminder
Barrett Rosser. The Scottsdale, Arizona-native came in allowing four goals on 24 shots in his first action with DU. Both Panther goals came from first-year Panthers, as
John Lizyness and
Cole Ott found the back of the net. Freshmen
Thomas Chaulk, and Alex Brown and
Kevin Crawley each tallied assists for the Panthers.
QUICK STATS
Shots: DU 22 – MU 44
Power Play: DU (0/5), MU (3/6)
Records: DU (0-1), MU (1-0)
STUMBLING OUT OF THE GATE
The RedHawks took advantage of home ice right out of the gate Friday night, as Chris Emery scored the first goal of the season just 2:25 into the contest. Strauss had to make some good saves to hold off Miami throughout the period, but not before Beck Markarian's power play goal put the RedHawks up by two late in the first period.
FIGHTING BACK
After Stephen McDonald scored another power play goal for the RedHawks just before the halfway mark of the second period, DU was able to create some high-quality scoring chances, leading to Lizyness' goal with just over five minutes left in the middle frame. Davenport took that momentum into the final frame as Ott scored just minutes in.
However, Miami was able to pull away in the remaining minutes, as Chris Emery and Evan Ingram each potted goals for the RedHawks, along with Markarian earning a hat trick with two goals in the final seven minutes of the contest.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers are right back at it on Saturday against the RedHawks as they look to go for the weekend split. Puck drop at Goggin Ice Arena is set for 1 p.m.
