Oct. 24, 2009
Final Stats
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio - No. 1-ranked Miami rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, but surrendered an overtime goal in a 3-2 loss to Michigan State Saturday night at Steve Cady Arena. The loss was the first of the season for the RedHawks (4-1-1, 1-1-0-0).
Andrew Rowe, who missed a penalty shot last night, tallied the game-winner for the Spartans (4-2-0, 1-1-0-0), firing a wrist shot from between the circles past Connor Knapp. Miami's Jarod Palmer scored a goal and added an assist to become the 43rd player in school history to reach the 100-point plateau.
The RedHawks controlled the tempo throughout the first period, dominating time of possession and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The team was able to create numerous scoring opportunities, putting seven shots on goal, but couldn't get anything past Michigan State goaltender Drew Palmisano.
The Spartans managed only four shots on goal in the period, but on their first power play, they were able to get through the Miami defense and capitalize at 8:14 of the period to take a 1-0 lead.
The RedHawks opened the second period down a man because of a penalty to Vincent LoVerde late in the first period. Miami was unable to kill the penalty as Michigan State scored on a wrist shot that beat Knapp high, glove-side at :38 of the second.
Down 2-0 after two periods, Miami maintained its composure to battle back into the game. Skating with a man advantage midway through the third, the RedHawks moved the puck through the Spartan penalty-kill and into the offensive zone. Palmer worked the puck toward the goal, just to the right side and drew the defense in tight and sent a pass back to a waiting Matt Tomassoni who hit a hard slapshot through traffic and past Palmisano with 9:40 left to play.
Just four minutes later on a 4-on-4, Miami moved the puck back into the offensive zone. Andy Miele pushed it along the right boards and passed to Loverde on the right side of the net. Loverde crossed the puck to Palmer, who settled it and used a wrist shot to tie the game at 2-2.
"Michigan State played great most of the game," Head Coach Enrico Blasi. "(Rowe) made a great play in overtime to score the goal and Palmisano had some great saves when we gained the momentum.
"You get 100 points in your career that's something that's pretty special," Blasi said of Palmer's accomplishment. "Obviously he's done a good job to do that and has been consistent through the years."
Miami heads out on the road for four straight games over the next two weekend. The RedHawks head to Northern Michigan next weekends before travelling to Michigan Nov. 6-7.
