Miami University
Notre Dame
No.1 RedHawks suffer first loss of 2007-08 season
11/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Nov. 9, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Miami endured its first defeat of the season Friday night, losing by a 2-1 score to No.12 Notre Dame. It was the first time in nearly eight months the team found itself on the losing end of the game. In his first action since the opening game of the season, senior alternate captain Nathan Davis scored the lone Miami goal, earning him third-star honors. Both goaltenders played outstanding hockey as Miami netminder Jeff Zatkoff stopped 18-of-20 shots and ND goaltender Jordan Pearce saved 32 of the 33 shots he faced, earning first-star honors.
Notre Dame was able to quiet the capacity-crowd as it opened the scoring 10:10 into the first period, as forward Christian Hanson was able to ring a shot off of the left post and into the net. Hanson's goal was assisted by freshman Robin Bergman.
Nearly six minutes later, Irish forward Dan Kissel was able to extend the Notre Dame lead to 2-0 when he picked up a lose puck from behind the net, walked in front of the Miami net and scored from between the hash marks.
Early into the second period, Davis was able to get the crowd back into the game as he skated from just inside the left offensive-zone face-off circle and shot the puck past Pearce's stick to put the RedHawks on the scoreboard, making the score 2-1.
The remainder of the game was a defensive battle on both ends of the ice, resulting in the 2-1 final.
Coach Enrico Blasi said that after this loss, the game plan doesn't change. "Tomorrow is a new day. We just need to come back and play 60 minutes and execute," Blasi said.
Miami looks to even the season series with Notre Dame Saturday night as the two teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. The RedHawks then travel to Michigan State November 15-16 to battle the Spartans.
NOTES:
Miami has now held its opponents to two goals or less in all nine of its games on the season.
Though scoring only one goal Friday night, the RedHawks are still averaging 4.56 goals per game, good for first in the nation.
GAME'S THREE STARS: No. 3 - Nathan Davis No. 2 - Dan Kissel No. 1 - Jordan Pearce
ATTENDANCE: 3642
