Miami University
St. Cloud State
No. 1/4 Miami Completes Sweep of St. Cloud State
10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Oct. 10, 2009
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio - Jarod Palmer and Devin Mantha scored 30 seconds apart and Connor Knapp recorded his third career shutout as Miami completed a weekend sweep of St. Cloud State.
For the second straight night, the RedHawks killed off all five power plays they faced, while converting their own power play goal. Jarod Palmer scored the game-winner with an extra man at the 5:22 mark of the third period to break the scoreless tie. Freshman Reilly Smith passed the puck into the right corner to sophomore Andy Miele, who sent a clean, centering pass to Palmer for the one-times.
Just 20 seconds later, Miami (2-0-0) added to the lead when freshman Devin Mantha scored his first career goal. Sophomore Will Weber stole the puck in his own zone and passed to Miele. Miami was quick to transition to the fastbreak and Miele sent the puck ahead to Mantha, who skated it up the ice and fired a strong wrist shot from the left faceoff circle that beat the visiting goalie high, stick-side.
Head coach Enrico Blasi credited much of the win to his team's defense and ability to kill power plays.
"It's always been one of our strong suits and it will need to continue to be," he said. "We blocked a lot of shots. Our defense was real aggressive and when we did break down, Connor was there."
In the opening period neither team held an edge with the puck spending most of its time in the neutral zone. In the period the teams combined for nine penalties and only 12 shots. The Red and White outshot the visitors 8-4.
The second period was more of the same with both teams' defenses limiting scoring chances. When the Huskies did create chances, Knapp was there for the save each time, making three saves on hard, point-blank shots.
"They have tremendous speed and a lot of skill," Blasi said of St. Cloud. "I thought Connor played great in net."
With the aggressive play by both teams, frustrations boiled over and a scuffle occurred with 15 seconds remaining in the second period, sending three RedHawks and two Huskies to the penalty box.
"We let our tempers get the best of us," Palmer said. "We needed to stay smart and composed ... in the third period we were just trying to get back to what we do best." The rough play at the end of the second period may have actually helped the RedHawks focus going into the third.
"Both teams were a little bit sluggish the first two periods until we had a little bit of a scuffle there at the end of the second period," Blasi said. "It seemed to energize both teams."
The three stars of the game were Palmer, Knapp and Mantha.
The RedHawks are back in action next weekend, Oct. 16-17 on the road at New Hampshire. Friday's game starts at 7:05 p.m.
