Miami University
Alaska
RedHawks Suffer Second Defeat of Season
12/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Dec. 8, 2007
OXFORD - Miami University's ice hockey team saw its six-game winning streak come to an end Saturday night, as Alaska clipped the RedHawks 3-0.
The shutout marked the first time since March 25, 2007 that the RedHawks were held without a goal. Boston College beat MU 4-0 in the regional finals of the NCAA Championships. Though he was on the losing end of the match up, junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff stopped 20-of-22 shots, keeping the game close with a number of spectacular saves. He was awarded the game's third-star honors for his efforts. For Alaska netminder Wylie Rogers, the shutout was his first of the season.
For the second night in a row, it was a Tyler Eckford 5-on-3 power play goal that opened the night's scoring with 2:05 left in the first. Eckford has now scored four goals on the season.
The second period and the majority of third period was a tight defensive battle at both ends of the ice, with both goaltenders standing tough while being tested repeatedly.
Alaska's Nathan Lawrence knocked down a waist-high pass attempt by Miami at the RedHawks' blue line and skated in on a breakaway, putting a shot between the legs of Zatkoff with only 6:26 remaining in the third period to extend its lead to 2-0.
The Nanooks' Ryan Muspratt sealed the team's victory with an empty net goal at the 18:51 mark of the third period.
Miami hits the road for its final series before the Christmas break, a Saturday-Sunday meeting with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, on December 15-16.
NOTES: Saturday night was the first time the RedHawks had been shutout at home since Michigan State knocked off Miami by a 4-0 score January 7, 2005.
Miami's record fell to 14-2-0, while Alaska improved its record to 2-8-1.
Junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff extended his streak of allowing two goals or less to 13 games.
Even with the loss, Jeff Zatkoff still leads the CCHA in goals-against average (1.39) and save percentage (.940).
QUOTES: Alaska coach Doc DelCastillo: "I'm definitely proud of the guys. It was good to see them rewarded. We played 120 minutes of hockey this weekend. (Goaltender) Wiley Rogers came up with some pretty big saves, especially early in the game. To be ahead 1-0 at the end of the first period was definitely a tribute to him."
Miami coach Rico Blasi: "Goaltending was a big part of this game and Wiley Rogers played great. I thought we played well, but we just couldn't get pucks through. Give them credit. They really did a good job and deserved to win."
Miami's Mitch Ganzak: "It was a very frustrating game for us, but you have to give them credit. They capitalized on their opportunities. We had eight or nine power-play chances, and they did a good job. We've got two more games next weekend that we've got to get ready for. You've got to have a short memory when you lose and when you win. Now we have to get ready for RPI. They're a good team."
GAME'S THREE STARS: No. 3 - Jeff Zatkoff No.2 - Tyler Eckford No.1 - Wylie Rogers
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