The University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team began their last National Collegiate Hockey Conference road series of the year with a shootout win over Miami University. UMD came back from an early 2-0 deficit to head to overtime tied 3-3, then scored twice in the shootout to secure two conference points. 

The game did not get off to an ideal start for the Bulldogs. The Redhawks scored 18 seconds in and again just 47 seconds later. The first period turned up empty, with the Bulldogs getting outshot 14-7 and behind on faceoff draws. 

It took the first intermission for the team to reset and really find their edge. Leading scorer Ben Steeves skated out for the second period with a sense of urgency. When Owen Gallatin shot the puck from the blue line, Steeves was perfectly positioned to tap it in.  

Less than five minutes into the period, MU took the first penalty of the game and gave UMD another chance. The third best power play in the nation wasted no time. A Bulldog faceoff win from freshman Matthew Perkins made its way back to Steeves at the top of the opposite circle. His shot went through the goaltender and trickled across the line, tying the game. 

Steeves previously had two two-goal performances this season, both coming in the mid-October series against Northern Michigan. 

UMD overwhelmed the RedHawks in the second period, flipping to a 19-18 lead in shots on goal. 

After two periods that alternated dominance, the third was a stark shift to even play. Four minutes in, sophomore Cole Spicer moved the puck across the blue line. He ran into a defender, but still managed to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the night.

It was short-lived, however, with MU's PJ Fletcher scoring his second of the night less than a minute and a half later. After that, the score was deadlocked. Neither team would give the other room, even in 3-on-3 overtime. The official score remained 3-3 and the shots were even 32-32. 

UMD headed to the shootout for the fourth time this season. The Bulldogs sent out alternate captain Quinn Olson first and then Steeves, both scoring. The RedHawks could not come up with an answer. 

This was the second shootout in a row Olson and Steeves ended the shootout in just two rounds (vs. UMN, 11/4). The pair split the two prior shootouts, tying them with a team-high 3 out of 4 successful shootout attempts so far this season.

UMD plays tomorrow night, Saturday, December 8 against MU at 6 p.m. for their last game before winter break.