Dec. 30, 2006
| Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio - In search of their second Ohio Hockey Classic title in as many years, the Miami University RedHawks (15-6-1, 10-3-1 CCHA) jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, but allowed four consecutive goals and were eventually felled 5-3 by the host Ohio State Buckeyes (7-9-4, 5-6-3 CCHA) on Saturday night in the title tilt of the 2006 OHC.
Just as he did in Friday's semifinal victory over Bowling Green, senior Marty Guerin (Lansing, Mich.) gave Miami a 1-0 lead with a first period goal that was assisted by Jarod Palmer (Fridley, Minn.) and Matt Christie (Ajax, Ontario). Seconds after an Ohio State penalty expired, Christie slid the puck behind the net to Palmer, who found Guerin alone at the right post for his seventh goal of the season.
Christie doubled Miami's lead with his third goal of the season at 14:41 of the first. Working hard in the defensive zone, Christie broke up an Ohio State rush before taking a breakout pass from junior Mitch Ganzak (Canton, Mich.). After taking the pass in the neutral zone, Christie outraced two Buckeyes to the net and made a strong move on OSU netminder Joseph Palmer for a 2-0 advantage.
Late in the first, Kenny Bernard capitalized on a turnover deep in the Miami zone and buried an uncontested slapshot from the slot behind Charlie Effinger (Belleville, Ill.) with just 51 seconds left in the period to cut Miami's lead to 2-1.
Ohio State evened the score at 2-2 at the 1:39 mark of the second on Tyson Strachan's second goal of the season. Strachan beat a heavily-screened Effinger with a wrist shot from the top of the slot that found its way through traffic and in.
Scoring its third consecutive goal in less than 20 minutes of action, Ohio State took its first lead of the game on Sean Collins' seventh goal of the season at 16:37 of the second that made it 3-2 for the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes doubled their lead midway through the third period on Matt Waddell's second goal of the season, an even-strength tally that came at the 12:09 mark.
Despite being down 4-2, sophomore Justin Mercier (Erie, Pa.) gave Miami fans a reason for optimism as he cut the lead to 4-3 with a goal with just 1:13 remaining in the contest. It was Mercier's second goal of the tournament and came with Effinger on the bench in favor an extra attacker. Assists sent to Guerin and Christie.
With the goalie still out of the net, Ohio State sealed the victory on a goal by Mathieu Beaudoin that closed the scoring at 5-3. Effinger stopped 26 of the 30 shots sent his way but dropped his season record to 6-3-0, while Ohio State's Joseph Palmer made 23 saves and improved to 7-7-3. Miami went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Ohio State was 0-for-3. Ohio State outshot Miami 31-26.
The RedHawks hit the ice again next weekend when they return to Central Collegiate Hockey Association Action by hosting Michigan State on Jan. 5-6 at Steve Cady Arena.
NOTES: SR Marty Guerin's goal was the 99th point of his collegiate career ... Miami's last victory when trailing after two periods came on Jan 30, 2004 at Michigan State ... Guerin was the lone RedHawk on the all-tournament team.
