Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami's Greatest Moments of the Decade: No. 1
12/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
Dec. 31, 2009
For ice hockey fans that didn't have an allegiance to either team, the Miami University-Boston University NCAA championship showdown on April 11, 2009 was as exciting as any game they'd ever seen.
For RedHawk fans at Washington D.C.'s Verizon Center and thousands of other Miamians who were watching on ESPN, it represented the widest variance of emotion that they'd ever experienced in the span of just a few minutes--from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat.
Here's the way MURedHawks.com reported the story, the No. 1 headline of the first decade of the 21st century, just more than eight months ago.
Apr. 11, 2009
RedHawks Fall Short of National Title, 4-3 in Overtime
Terriers score twice in final minute to overcome 3-1 deficit
WASHINGTON D.C. - Miami University's hockey team battled valiantly for 60 minutes and into overtime, but a Boston University shot deflected off a RedHawk defender and into the net, ending an historic run to the Frozen Four seven-plus minutes into the extra session.
The 4-3 victory marked the fifth national title for the Terriers, who had scored twice in the final 59 seconds of regulation to overcome a 3-1 deficit. Miami's dream season ended at 11:47 of overtime when Boston University's Colby Cohen took a shot from the left side. Kevin Roeder went down to block the puck, but it deflected off his body into the net past Cody Reichard, who never saw it.
The teams were tied at 1-1 with just seven minutes left when Miami surged ahead. Tommy Wingles put the RedHawks ahead with his 11th goal of the season at 13:38. He was assisted by Carter Camper and Bill Loupee.
Miami added to the lead less than three minutes later, when Trent Vogelhuber took a pass from Brian Kaufman. The goal - his second of the season - seemingly cemented the university's first national title in an NCAA sport, but the Terriers would retaliate.
Zach Cohen found the net at 19:00, and then Nick Bonino made contact with 17 seconds left, capping a miracle comeback and forcing overtime.
Boston University opened the scoring in the first period. With 4:45 left in the period, Chris Connolly got BU on the scoreboard by poking a rebound shot past Reichard on an even-strength goal. Although Miami got off one more shot than BU (10-9), the period ended in favor of Boston, 1-0.
The Terriers began the second period on a power play, with Tommy Wingels in the penalty box, but the RedHawks' penalty kill was successful. Just more than a minute later, junior Gary Steffes tied up the game at 1-1 with his 11th goal of the season and his first of the NCAA Tournament.
Following the game, Wingles and defensemen Roeder were named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.
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Miami's Top Ten Athletic Moments of the Past Decade
1. Ice hockey team plays in the national championship game
2. Miami wins GMAC Bowl game; Big Ben announces he'll forego his final season
3. Penno's miracle shot sends RedHawks to Big Dance
4. Synchronized skating team wins Silver Medal at World Championships
5. Hockey tops Bemidji State to advance to NCAA Championship game
6. Synchro captures fifth consecutive national title
7. Roethlisberger leads RedHawks to victory over BG in MAC title game
8. Big Ben's 70-yard Hail Mary to Tillitz beats Akron
9. Ice hockey earns first-ever No. 1 ranking
10. Women's cross country team wins first-ever MAC championship
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