Dec. 6, 2008
Final Stats
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Miami used a balanced attack to earn its fifth consecutive victory with nine different players registering a point.
The RedHawks took the early lead on a four-on-four goal by Kevin Roeder at 10:57 of the first period. Alden Hirschfeld was called for interference but a minute later Patrick Galivan, of Western Michigan, was called for tripping. Roeder intercepted the puck passed it Gary Steffes, who gave in right back to Roeder. The senior fired a shot that hit Bronco goalie Riley Gill and crossed the goal line and bounced out. The goal is first of the season for Roeder and his first since Jan. 18, 2008.
Cody Reichard made four saves in the first period and the RedHawks killed off both power-play attempts for Western Michigan.
The second period was a physical battle with several players hitting the ice for both teams and Western Michigan was able to battle through and tied the game. Max Campbell of Western Michigan was able to steal a neutral ice pass and slipped one by Reichard. The goal ended a streak of 87:50 of shutout hockey for the freshman from Celina, Ohio. Miami would battle right back and Tommy Wingels netted a goal for the second-consecutive game. Justin Mercier worked the puck up the ice to Wingels, who slipped it under Gill before colliding with the Western Michigan net minder.
The RedHawks would extend their lead 45-seconds into the third period when Jarod Palmer fired a puck through the Western Michigan defense to give the RedHawks a two goal advantage. Pat Cannone passed the puck to Chris Wideman, who worked the puck across the blue line to Palmer.
Western Michigan would not go quietly and Travis Paeth would pull the Broncos within one at 2:31 of the third on the assist by Peter Kavaya. Paeth fired the puck by Reichard from just outside of the faceoff circle on the stick side of the freshman. Miami would respond as Andy Miele stole a neutral ice pass and netted his fourth goal in his last five games. Miele stole the puck near center ice and then weaved his way through two Western Michigan players and beat Gill stick side.
The RedHawks and the Broncos will be back in action tomorrow night in the Lawson Ice Center. The game starts at 4:05 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPNU.
Game Notes
Jarod Palmer and Brian Kaufman played in their 99th career game on Saturday night. Coming into the game the RedHawk pair boasted identical career numbers, 23 goals and 50 assists.
Kevin Roeder picked up his first goal of the season in the first period. The goal is first for the senior from Glenview, Ill., Jan. 18, 2008 against Lake Superior State. When Roeder records a point, Miami holds a record of 23-6-1.
Miami has killed 42 consecutive power plays on the road.
Andy Miele and Justin Mercier extended their road point streaks on Saturday. Mercier picked up the assist on Tommy Wingels goal in the second period. Mercier road point streak now stands at four consecutive games. Miele scored in the third period and extend his road point streak to five.
Miami has won five consecutive games and five consecutive road games.
Miami holds a record of 143-11-13 under head coach Enrico Blasi when they score four goals or more.
