Nov. 14, 2008
Stats
Box Score Miami vs. Michigan State 11/14/08
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Miami picked up its third consecutive road win against a ranked opponent on Friday as the RedHawks knocked off Michigan State 5-1.
Miami was able to set up its offensive set early and got a couple of shots to Spartan goalie Jeff Lerg but had to pull back when Cameron Schilling was called for obstruction hooking. Michigan State earned a two man advantage when Tommy Wingels was sent to the box for holding but the RedHawk penalty kill, ranked third in the nation coming into the game, killed off both penalties.
Despite the big early penalty kill, Michigan State would strike first when Matt Schepke found the net on an assists by Jay Sprague and Corey Tropp at 10:29 of the first period. Schepke got the puck in front of the net and used some solid stick work to slip the puck by Reichard's left side. It would only take the RedHawks 14 seconds to respond as Brian Kaufman would fire a shot from the left side faceoff circle and the RedHawks crashed the net. Jarod Palmer was the first to try and knock the puck in but Lerg made the stop for Michigan State, however he was unable to stop Pat Cannone and the RedHawks evened the score.
In the first period Miami was able to kill off two Spartan power plays but the RedHawks were unable to capitalize with the man advantage going 0-for-1. Between the pipes Reichard made nine first frame stops for the Red and White.
Miami's special teams would continue to be on display in the second period. Miami would go on the power play after Andrew Rowe of Michigan State was called for clipping at 2:40 of the second stanza. Raymond Eichenlaub would use the man advantage to find the net for the first time since Jan. 21, 2007. Andy Miele picked up the puck near the left side faceoff circle and passed the puck over to Eichenlaub who slammed it home from the blue line. The shot was over the left shoulder of Lerg and gave Miami their 14th power play goal of the season, coming into the game the RedHawks were ranked fifth in the nation on the power play.
The RedHawks would extend their lead when Kaufman caught Lerg out of the net at 14:57 of the second period. Lerg came out of the crease to try and clear a puck but the RedHawk captain intercepted the dump attempt and scored his third goal of the season.
The Red and White were not finished in the second period as Justin Mercier scored a power play goal for the RedHawks at 16:27. Chris Wideman fired a shot wide that was picked up by Cannone who worked back up the ice, found Mercier in slot and Mercier and the senior from Erie, Pa. beat Lerg glove side. For the period Miami went 2-of-4 on the power play and killed off the Spartans only power play attempt of the frame. Reichard stopped all nine shots he faced in the second.
"I think he (Reichard) made some big saves," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "I think the guys did a good job keeping Michigan State to the outside but Cody made the saves when he had to."
Miele would keep things going for the RedHawks when he found the net at 9:09 of the third period on another RedHawk power play. Vincent LoVerde fired a shot in that was blocked by the Michigan State defense but found the stick of Wingels. He fired in a shot that was saved by Lerg but Miele was there and picked up his second point of the game.
"We are going to focus on trying to play our best hockey," coach Blasi said. "Bottom line is you have to come to play, play hard and play for 60 minutes and we know they (Michigan State) are going to do the same. We are going to focus on trying to play our best hockey tomorrow."
Miami and Michigan State will be back in action tomorrow night in Munn Ice Arena at 7:05 p.m. The game will be televised live on Comcast Local and the NHL Network in Canada. The game will be aired on the NHL Network in the United States on Sunday, Nov. 11 at noon Eastern Standard Time.
Game Notes
Jarod Palmer played in his 95th career game on Friday night and picked up a point for the fifth straight game. The five game point streak matches the longest point streak of his career.
Pat Cannone equaled his goal total from a year ago with his goal at 10:43 of the first period. Cannone leads the team in goals (6), assists (10) and points (16).
Raymond Eichenlaub netted his first goal since Jan. 21, 2007 in the second period. The goal is the ninth of his career.
Andy Miele would pick up his 20th career point in the second period, when he set up Eichenlaub at the blue line.
The five goals by the RedHawks is the most by a Miami team in East Lansing since Jan. 31, 2003, when the Red and White defeated the Spartans 5-3.
The win by four goals is the biggest win ever for Miami in East Lansing and is the RedHawks third consecutive win in Munn Arena.
