Dec. 28, 2002
Box Score
DENVER - The consolation contest of the Wells Fargo Denver Cup went in favor of the Miami University (13-6-1) hockey team as an empty net goal in the final minute finished off a 4-2 victory over Clarkson University (5-10-1). Four players tallied multiple-point games for the RedHawks en route to the win, and the end of a three-game losing streak.
On the first power play of the contest Miami sophomore Todd Grant (Indianapolis, Ind.) gave his team an early 1-0 lead when he walked in on the goal and scored his second goal of the season at 8:15. Grant had all the time in the world to score because junior Derek Edwardson (Morton Grove, Ill.), who earned an assist, reversed ice when the entire Clarkson defense was on right side of the goal. Also credited with an assist on the goal was freshman Andy Greene (Trenton, Mich.).
After successfully killing a 5-on-3 power play, the RedHawks allowed the Golden Knights to score with 18 seconds remaining on the second penalty at 17:52 in the first period. CU's Jeff Genovy ripped a shot from the right face-off circle that found its way through the pads of the Miami goalie to even the game at 1-1.
The Red and White took advantage of a five-minute major penalty on Clarkson at 10:00 in the second period when Greene netted his second goal of the season. Greene put the goal top shelf after Edwardson and sophomore Chris Busby (Kenilworth, Ill.) worked the puck around the perimeter for an easy strike.
Clarkson waited until 12:28 in the third stanza to tie the game, 2-2, when Ken Scuderi scored his first career goal with a low shot to the glove side. His goal, from the top of the right face-off circle, was assisted by defenseman Dale Good.
Senior Nick Jardine (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) moved into a tie for the team lead in goals when he found the back of the net at 16:21 in the final frame to give the RedHawks a 3-2 advantage. Jardine's goal, which would turn out to be the game-winner, was scored on a backdoor pass from Greene. Grant registered his third point of the game with an assist also.
Facing a 3-2 deficit Clarkson pulled its goalie with a minute remaining in the contest, and left the door open for Grant to register career highs in goals and points, respectively. After Edwardson won a face-off in the neutral zone, Jardine found Grant open on the right wing. Grant did the rest by flipping the puck into the empty net from the blue line, giving him two goals and four points (2-2-4) in the contest.
In a contest that featured 23 total penalties between the two teams, four players from Miami managed to register multiple-point games. In addition to Grant's four points, Greene had three points (1-2-3), Edwardson had three points (0-3-3), and Jardine had two points (1-1-2).
Miami's power-play unit thrived against Clarkson, converting on 3-of-8 penalties. On the other end of the ice the Red and White PK unit stuffed 6-of-7 Clarkson power plays. Earning his 12th win of the season in net was senior David Burleigh (North Vancouver, B.C.) who made 26 saves.
Miami gets back into league action next weekend as it travels to Ann Arbor, Mich. for a Central Collegiate Hockey Association series against the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines on Jan. 4-5. The Saturday night game is being played at 7:35 p.m., and the Sunday game at 5 p.m.
