Jan. 10, 2010
Final Stats | Notes
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio - No. 1 Miami lost to Robert Morris 2-1 in non-conference action Sunday afternoon at Steve Cady Arena at the Goggin Ice Center in the finale of the weekend home-and-home series. The RedHawks (13-4-5, 10-1-3-1 CCHA) were swept for the first time this season.
Robert Morris (5-12-3) scored two power play goals and killed off eight of Miami's nine power plays -- including two 5-on-3's -- to skate to victory. Goaltender Brooks Ostergard stopped 38 of 39 shots, nearly matching his 39 saves in Friday night's 3-1 victory.
The RedHawks opened the game as the aggressors, outshooting the Colonials 17-3 in the first period. Miami created opportunities on two power plays, but could not find a way to score on Ostergard.
Just 11 seconds into the second period, the Colonials took the 1-0 lead on a power play goal that came on just their fourth shot of the game. Robert Morris took the faceoff and moved the puck into the Miami zone. The RedHawks defense tipped it away, but Nathan Longpre picked up the loose puck and shot it between Connor Knapp's legs.
At 11:46 of the second, Cannone took a pass from Wingels on the left side of the goal and had just enough of an opening between Ostergard and the post to sneak a wrister into the net from the sharp angle to tie the game at 1-1 on a power play goal. Carter Camper earned the second assist.
Robert Morris retook the lead at 16:45 of the second period on a power play goal by Denny Urban that would turn out to be the game-winner. The RedHawks were able to kill off the 5-on-3 power play, but turned it over in their own zone as the 5-on-4 wound down and Urban was able to beat Knapp on the breakaway.
The RedHawks gained a two-man advantage twice in the third period, but could not get anything past Ostergard.
Miami outshot the visitors 39-15, but could not finish off the opportunities.
"We hit a lot of posts, but posts are a part of the game," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "We've got to execute better. Ultimately the goal is to play the best hockey at the right time and that's still a couple of months away. This is a little bump in the road and I have faith in our team and Tuesday for practice they'll be ready to go."
Miami's next opponent, Ferris State, defeated Notre Dame to tie the RedHawks for first place in the conference, setting up a showdown between the league's two first-place teams next weekend in Big Rapids, Mich. The puck drops Friday night at 7:05.
"We've got to play well," Blasi said. "Ferris is going to be rocking. We've got to come ready to play."
