Jan. 16, 2009
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - No. 9 Miami (12-8-3) fell for the fifth consecutive game on Friday as Michigan State (7-13-3) ended its four game losing streak against the RedHawks with a 4-1 victory.
The Red and White fell behind at 3:25 of the first period when Tim Crowder scored a four-on-four goal on a tip in front of the net. Cody Reichard (Celina, Ohio) made six saves in the first frame and the RedHawks killed off two Michigan State power plays.
Corey Tropp extended the Michigan State lead with his power-play goal at 15:38 of the second period. Dustin Gazley pushed the Spartan advantage to 3-0 with his fourth goal of the year at 17:18 of the second period. Reichard made three more saves in the second period.
Pat Cannone (Bayport, N.Y.) cut the Michigan State lead to two goals with a power-play score at 15:33 of the third period. Miami gained the man advantage when Adam Henderson of Michigan State was called for tripping. Miami worked the puck well in the offensive zone as Justin Mercier (Erie, Pa.) found Chris Wideman (St. Louis, Mo.) at the blue line. Wideman fired a shot on net and, it was Cannone that tipped the puck past Michigan State goalie Jeff Lerg. Tropp ended Miami's hopes of a comeback as he scored his second goal of the game at 16:35 of the third period, making the final margin, 4-1.
The RedHawks killed off two more Spartan power plays in the third period. Connor Knapp (York, N.Y.) replaced Reichard in net for the final period. Knapp made three saves with one coming on the penalty kill.
Miami outshot Michigan State 36-16 and both teams went one-of-five on the power play. Michigan State has now won three of its last five and Miami has dropped five straight.
Miami and Michigan State will be back in action tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. in Steve Cady Arena. The game will be televised live on CBS College Sports.
Miami RedHawk Hockey Game Notes
Michigan State 4 (7-13-3/4-9-2-2 CCHA) at #9 Miami 1 (12-8-3, 10-5-2-1 CCHA)
Jan. 15, 2009 - Steve Cady Arena
- Michigan State's 4-1 victory over Miami broke a one-game losing streak for the Spartans and extended the RedHawks' losing skid to five straight. That's Miami's longest losing streak since the 2004-05 season when it dropped seven consecutive contests.
- During its five-game losing streak, Miami has been outscored by a 20-6 margin. In the eight-game winning streak just prior to this drought, the RedHawks had outscored their opponents, 33-10.
- With the loss to Michigan State, Miami coach Rico Blasi's all-time victory total stays at 199.
- Miami trailed Michigan State by a 3-0 score after two periods, extending the RedHawks' scoreless streak to six consecutive periods. The RedHawks have been outscored, 13-2, over their last three games.
- Michigan State improved its all-time series record against Miami to 66-24-5. The RedHawks had won four consecutive games against the Spartans prior to tonight's loss.
- Miami's new head football coach Mike Haywood was introduced to the crowd during the intermission between the first and second periods.
- First Star: MSU's Jeff Lerg; Second Star: MSU's Corey Tropp; Third Star: MSU's Tim Crowder.
- Miami's next action is Saturday afternoon (5:05 p.m.) vs. Michigan State. The RedHawks don't play at home again until January 30-31 when they host Bowling Green.
- Tonight's game was nationally televised by CBS College Sports.
- Elsewhere around the CCHA on Friday:
*Ohio State 6, Ferris State 2
*Notre Dame 3, Lake Superior 2
*Bowling Green 3, Michigan 0
*Alabama-Huntsville at Western Michigan, inc.
*Nebraska-Omaha at Alaska, inc.
