Miami University
Michigan
Wolverines Take Series Opener, Down RedHawks, 4-2
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Feb. 9, 2008
OXFORD - No. 2 Michigan snapped Miami's seven-game victory streak, winning one of the most anticipated ice hockey contests in RedHawks history, knocking off their hosts, 4-2, at Steve Cady Arena.
Michigan scored all four of its goals in a span of six minutes during the first period, including two scores just 37 seconds apart.
The RedHawks fought back in the third period, scoring twice, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. Goalposts played a big role in Friday's contest, as Miami hit the iron on three separate occasions.
Senior captain Ryan Jones' third period goal was his fifth in the last six games. Jones is just one goal behind Kevin Porter for the most goals in the country.
Michigan began the scoring nearly half way through the first period, as freshman Louie Caporusso netted his eighth goal of the season, putting the Wolverines ahead, 1-0.
The Wolverines quieted the capacity crowd with the team's second goal of the night coming just three minutes after Caporusso's goal. Scoring for Michigan was freshman Aaron Palushaj, giving him seven for the year.
Senior Kevin Porter pushed the UM lead to three goals only 37 seconds after Palushaj's score. For Porter, the goal was his nation-leading 24th of the 2007-08 campaign.
Freshman Max Pacioretti kept the offensive pressure on during Michigan's second power play of the evening, as he netted his eighth tally of the season with five minutes remaining in the first stanza. The goal was Michigan's fourth in 5:48.
Senior captain Ryan Jones brought the Miami faithful back to life with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game, potting a power-play goal, his 23rd tally of the year. Assisting on the goal was senior alternate captain Nathan Davis, playing in his first game after missing the previous 13 with a back injury.
RedHawk fans had a chance to cheer again with six minutes left in the third, as sophomore Jarod Palmer continued his torrid start to 2008, scoring his ninth point (2 G, 7 A) since the calendar turned over. Palmer has seven goals and 25 points to his name this year.
The rally came up just short, as the Wolverines defense stood strong the rest of the way, preserving the 4-2 Michigan victory.
The two teams will close out the series Saturday night, with a puck drop scheduled for 7:35 p.m. The contest will be broadcast on Fox Sports Ohio in the Cincinnati and Dayton markets.
NOTES:
Miami is now 7-4 when the opponent scores the first goal of the game.
The four goals allowed by Miami in the first period Friday night was the most scores the RedHawks had given up in any period this season.
Miami tied a season low for shots in a period by putting only three shots on Michigan netminder Billy Sauer in the first period of Friday night's game.
Senior captain Ryan Jones needs just 11 more minutes in penalties to become the second Miamian in the school's history to accumulate 300 penalty minutes for his career.
With his third period power play goal, senior captain Ryan Jones tied junior Justin Mercier for the team lead in man-advantage goals (8).
The RedHawks boast a 10-2 record in games versus opponents ranked in the Top-20, nationally.
QUOTES:
Michigan Coach Red Berenson
"We got the bounces in the first period. Everything we touched went in the net; obviously there were four goals."
"Those pucks haven't been going in for us as of late, but they went in tonight."
"You knew [Miami] was a good team. They can outplay anyone in this building. They just got back on track. They got a chance to re-focus, and come out fired up, and they played well. We were hanging on at the end."
"You have to play good defense on the road. For the most part, I think our team played well. We got into some penalty-killing trouble, but overall five-on-five the first half of the game we played pretty well, but you knew that [Miami] was going to come after us. Sooner or later the momentum would change."
"I don't referee the games, I just coach one team, but you can make your own judgment on that, but [penalties] definitely disrupts the flow of the game, there's no question, penalty after penalty. You're disappointed to see that, but that's how they called the game."
"It wasn't as much about change, it was more about how well we had to play and how better we had to play compared to last week and the week before. I think we have a lot of players that are versatile and can play different situations."
"The one big change was Miller, center the fourth line. He ended up the last couple of shifts playing left wing on another line. He's a valuable player for us. He can play different positions."
"You know tomorrow night's game will take a different toll. When you think about it, there's been a lot of buildup around this series and you know there's a ton of pressure on the home team and distractions and tickets, and who knows what else. To get off to a start like that and for us to get the breaks, you know that they'll come out tomorrow night ready to play from the get go."
"We obviously are here for the whole weekend, but we know tomorrow night's game could take on a different direction."
"The first game is a tough game because things don't always go your way and you're excited, and the crowd is excited, but it doesn't always go your way."
"But they are a great team and they were showing it as the game wore on."
"[Goggin] is a nice addition for the Miami program and for the CCHA."
Miami Coach Enrico Blasi
"Obviously Michigan came out strong and took it to us."
"It's a tough road when you have to come back from a four goal deficit."
"I didn't think it was [Jeff Zatkoff's] fault. He made a great save on the first one, the guy had a second chance on it. The second one we had a breakdown defensively and the Palushaj was all alone, and the third one was a breakaway. The fourth one was, again by himself in front of the net, trying to follow a bouncing puck on that one."
"I think we have to regroup and refocus and get ourselves ready to play tomorrow night."
"I didn't see anything." [Offensive production in first and second periods]
"We had some powerplays and we got lucky, fortunate bounce with Jones' goal, and Palmer made a great individual play. Other than that, we have to do a much better job of getting to the net."
"I don't know what kind of luck it was. We just weren't ready to play, and they were, and they took it to us, and give them credit for it."
"We had a great week of practice, we just weren't ready to play, and they were. They deserved to win tonight."
Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff
"I think we came out flat, and we weren't ready to play. You think you would be in a game like this but it was just one of those games that we didn't bring it right off the start, and they're a great offensive team, and before we knew it we were down four to nothing."
"The atmosphere was tremendous tonight. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get into it until the third period, but once we got going in the third it was unbelievable."
GAME'S THREE STARS: No. 3 - Ryan Jones No. 2 - Kevin Porter No. 1 - Billy Sauer
ATTENDANCE: 3642
