TROY, N.Y. - Senior Riley Barber netted a pair of goals, including the eventual game-winner, to lead the sixth-ranked Miami University men's hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this evening at the Houston Field House. With the win, the Redhawks improve to 13-6-0, while the Engineers drop to 6-14-1. 

Barber opened the scoring at 4:40 of the first period, when he ripped a shot past RPI junior netminder Jason Kasdorf (Winnipeg, MB/Des Moines Bucs) from the right circle. The goal was assisted by Conor Lemirande (Janesville, WI) and Austin Czarnik (Washington, MI).

RPI drew even just 22 seconds into the second stanza, on an even-strength tally by junior defenseman Chris Bradley (Williamsville, NY/Youngstown Phantoms). After intercepting a Redhawks outlet pass, Bradley fired a shot from the right point that deflected off a Miami skater and over the left shoulder of junior goaltender Ryan McKay (Palatine, IL). 

The visitors regained the lead midway through the second, after a giveaway by the Engineers behind their own net. Junior Andrew Schmit (Grafton, WI) was left all alone at the right side of the cage for his first of the season. Helpers went to sophomore Justin Greenberg (Dallas, TX) and junior Kevin Morris (Massena, NY).

Miami made it 3-1 at 14:36 of the period, netting its second power-play goal of the game. Barber slammed home a feed from freshman Louis Belpedio (Skokie, IL) for the eventual game-winner.

Freshman Drew Melanson (Paramus, NJ/Waterloo Black Hawks) made it a one-goal game (3-2) at 11:24 of the third, finishing off a well executed passing play by the Engineers in the offensive zone. Senior Jacob Laliberte (Rockland, ON/Cornwall Colts) found freshman blueliner Michael Prapavessis (Oakville, ON/Toronto Patriots) with a cross-ice feed in the right circle. Prapavessis then dropped the puck off to Melanson in the slot for a one-timer that beat McKay high glove side. The marker was Melanson's fourth of the year.

Rensselaer had over a minute of 5-on-3 man advantage time in the closing minutes, but were unable to solve McKay, who finished with 21 saves. Kasdorf recorded 24 stops at the other end of the ice. 

Both teams are back in action tomorrow night for the series finale at the Houston Field House (7pm).