Matteo Giampa’s Overtime Winner Lifts Miami RedHawks Over St. Cloud State in 6-5 Thriller

In front of the largest crowd at Goggin Ice Center since 2015, Matteo Giampa etched his name into Miami RedHawks lore with a breathtaking overtime winner against St. Cloud State. The dramatic 6-5 victory, sealed just 70 seconds into the extra period, capped off a wild evening that saw six different Miami players find the back of the net and the RedHawks improve to 8-3-0 on the season.

The atmosphere inside Steve “Coach” Cady Arena was electric from puck drop, with 3,642 fans creating a playoff-like environment that seemed to fuel both teams through a rollercoaster of momentum swings. What started as a dominant Miami performance evolved into a nail-biting thriller that tested the resolve of Chris Bergeron’s squad before Giampa’s heroics sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy.

How the matteo giampa overtime winner game unfolded at goggin ice center

The foundation for victory was laid early as Miami came out flying in the first period. Michael Quinn opened the scoring with a power-play marker at the 11:40 mark, ripping a one-timer from the top of the zone after Casper Nassen’s initial blast sailed wide. The RedHawks dictated play throughout the opening frame, outshooting the Huskies 18-3 and generating 32 total shot attempts to St. Cloud State’s meager seven.

Ethan Hay doubled the advantage early in the second period, though not without controversy. After receiving a perfect pass from Michael Phelan on a 2-on-1 break, Hay appeared to score cleanly, but officials reviewed the play for potential goaltender interference. The call stood, giving Miami a 2-0 lead and what seemed like firm control of the contest.

St. Cloud State refused to fold, capitalizing on a Miami turnover behind their own net for Barrett Hall’s unassisted goal. Finn Loftus then set up Grant Ahcan to tie the game at 2-2, quieting the raucous crowd momentarily. Kocha Delic restored Miami’s lead before the period ended, taking advantage of an aggressive forecheck that forced a Huskies giveaway.

Third period chaos before the matteo giampa overtime winner 6-5 finish

The final regulation frame delivered pure mayhem. Gavyn Thoreson’s shorthanded goal at 6:16 tied the game 3-3, slipping past three RedHawks defenders before beating Matteo Drobac five-hole. With just over five minutes remaining, David Deputy scored his first collegiate goal to put Miami back on top 4-3, followed just 19 seconds later by Casper Nassen’s brilliant redirect of Vladislav Lukashevich’s point shot for a seemingly comfortable 5-3 cushion.

St. Cloud State had other plans. With their net empty for an extra attacker, Tyson Gross deflected home a Barrett Hall shot to cut the deficit to 5-4. Just over a minute later, Thoreson struck again, stickhandling through the Miami defense to tie the game with 3:02 remaining and send the contest to overtime.

Matteo giampa’s moment arrives in overtime

The extra period didn’t last long. Kyle Aucoin’s smart backcheck created a turnover that sprung Giampa and Deputy on a 2-on-1 break. Coming down the right side with composure beyond his years, Giampa kept the puck and let loose with a perfectly placed shot over Yan Shostak’s glove, sending the Goggin Ice Center into pandemonium.

“It was just instincts taking over,” Giampa said afterward, describing the decisive play. “Deputy made a great play to get us the 2-on-1, and I saw a little space over the goalie’s shoulder. Luckily it found the back of the net.”

Six different goal scorers pace balanced attack

The victory marked the first time since December 2021 that Miami had six different players score in the same game, showcasing the team’s offensive depth. The balanced attack included:

• Michael Quinn (power-play goal, 20th point of his Miami career)
• Ethan Hay (even-strength marker)
• Kocha Delic (team-leading 13th point of the season)
• David Deputy (first career goal, first multi-point game)
• Casper Nassen (tip-in goal, 10th assist for Lukashevich)
• Matteo Giampa (overtime winner)

Quinn, Nassen, and Max Helgeson each finished with two-point nights, while Deputy’s breakout performance included a goal, an assist, and a team-high 11 shot attempts.

Defensive standouts shine in matteo giampa overtime winner contest

While the offense grabbed headlines, Miami’s defensive corps delivered a masterful performance. The RedHawks limited St. Cloud State to just 19 shots on goal—the fewest allowed in a conference game since February 2018. The unit blocked 15 shots and held the nation’s top power-play unit (32.7% efficiency) scoreless in four attempts.

Kyle Aucoin, returning to the lineup for the first time since October 11, blocked a team-high four shots and picked up the primary assist on the game-winner. His defensive awareness created the turnover that led to Giampa’s heroics.

Goaltending and special teams battle

Matteo Drobac improved to 8-3 on the season, making 14 saves despite facing a third-period onslaught. While he surrendered three goals in the final frame, his early work kept Miami in control during their dominant first 40 minutes.

At the other end, Yan Shostak faced 34 shots for St. Cloud State, stopping 28. The Huskies’ netminder made several spectacular saves to keep his team within striking distance, particularly during Miami’s first-period surge.

Historical significance of the matteo giampa 6-5 victory

Friday’s sellout crowd marked the first capacity showing at Cady Arena since March 6, 2015, underscoring the growing excitement around the RedHawks program. The team’s dramatic victory improves them to 3-0 in overtime games this season—a stark contrast to recent years where extra-time success had been elusive.

For a program still building toward consistent national relevance, the win represents more than just two NCHC points. It demonstrates resilience, character, and the ability to perform under pressure in front of a marquee audience.

Looking ahead after the st. cloud state thriller

Miami and St. Cloud State face off again Saturday at 6:05 p.m. EST, with the Huskies looking to salvage a split and the RedHawks aiming to build momentum. The short turnaround will test both teams’ conditioning and emotional recovery after such a physically and mentally draining contest.

What Friday proved is that these RedHawks have learned how to win tight games—a crucial skill in the grind of NCHC play. With their offensive depth, improved defense, and newfound confidence in clutch situations, Miami appears poised to challenge for a top-half conference finish.

The victory also highlights the importance of special teams. Miami’s penalty kill went 4-for-4 while converting once on the power play, providing the edge in a game where even-strength play was largely balanced. As conference play intensifies, those details become magnified.

Giampa’s emergence as a clutch performer gives Miami another weapon in critical moments. His overtime winner wasn’t just a single play—it was the culmination of a team effort that saw contributions from every line and defensive pairing. That kind of balanced production is exactly what championship-caliber teams need.

As the RedHawks prepare for Saturday’s rematch, they’ll need to address the third-period lapses that allowed St. Cloud State to rally. But with the confidence gained from Friday’s dramatic finish, Miami enters the weekend finale with momentum and a clear understanding of what it takes to win when the pressure is highest.