Oct. 18, 2003
Box Score
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - In a rematch of last year's first round game at the inaugural Lefty McFadden Invitational, the Miami hockey team (1-4-1) fell in the Nye Frontier Classic's consolation game, 2-0, as Air Force (2-2-0) got its revenge. Last year, the RedHawks defeated the Falcons, 12-1, at the "Lefty", but were defeated in Alaska as Air Force goalie Chris Davidson notched the shutout.
After it took 9:44 for the first shot to be logged on goal, by Miami sophomore Andy Greene (Trenton, Mich.), Air Force finally got is first shot on net at 17:10. It took only 1:26 more for the Falcons to take a 1-0 lead when they converted their first power-play attempt at 18:36. Junior defenseman Steve Mead took a slapshot from the blueline that found its way through traffic and into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Despite more-than-several solid scoring chances in the second period, Air Force goalie Mike Polidor kept the RedHawks at bay by making seven saves to hold on to the 1-0 lead. Senior Mike Kompon (Thunder Bay, Ontario) had Miami's best chances in the period when he hit the post and had one shot on goal during its only power play in the frame.
Air Force netted a back-breaking goal at 16:24 in the third period to up its lead to 2-0. After a mix up behind the Red and White goal, sophomore Mike Knaeble picked up the puck and fed senior Spanky Leonard who was awaiting his pass in the slot. Leonard quickly wristed the shot into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Even when it pulled freshman goalie Steve Hartley (Hawkesbury, Ontario) with 1:47 left in the game, Miami failed to find the back of the net as Davidson polished off his 19-save shutout. Hartley made 16 saves for the RedHawks. Even though he his 0-4-0 in four starts this season, Hartley has only received 1.25 goals per game of offensive support in those four outings.
Miami returns to Central Collegiate Hockey Association action next weekend, Oct. 24-25, as it heads to Sault. Ste. Marie, Mich. to take on Lake Superior State. The last time they played in the Sault, the RedHawks split a series with the Lakers in 2001-02.
