Miami University
Alaska
No. 3 Miami Blanks No. 13 Alaska, 4-0
11/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Nov. 12, 2010
Box Score
Highlights and Postgame Press Conference
By Drew Davis
OXFORD, Ohio - The No. 3 Miami hockey team scored early and often to end a three-game winless streak with a 4-0 win over CCHA foe Alaska Friday night at Steve Cady Arena at the Goggin Ice Center. The RedHawks (6-2-3, 4-1-2-1) have now shut out the Nanooks (6-4-1, 3-3-1-1) in two straight games dating back to last year and in four of their last eight meetings.
Junior goaltender Cody Reichard stood on his head, stopping all 24 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season and ninth of his career while senior captain Carter Camper led the RedHawks' offense with the first goal of the game and an assist on the team's second goal. It was Camper's ninth multi-point effort of the season and helped him stay atop the national points list.
Friday also marked the return to the ice of junior defenseman Will Weber, who came back from a severe neck injury sustained three weeks ago when he was cut by a skate. The assistant captain earned the start and tallied an assist in his first game back.
"It felt really good," Weber said about his return. "It was a long two weeks just kind of sitting around not doing too much. It was nice this week to practice again and feel like part of the team again."
When the starting lineup was announced and Weber's name was called, the Miami crowd rose to a standing ovation.
"It was great, I thought the fans did a great job," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "I had chills running up and down my body when they announced his name. I think the guys were excited to see Will back out there."
Miami opened the scoring 6:50 into the opening period as sophomore Reilly Smith controlled the puck in the attacking zone and fed a pass to Weber in the left corner. Weber skated toward the goal and from just inside the left circle, crossed it to Camper who one-timed it into the open right side of the net for the game-winner.
Camper and freshman forward Bryon Paulazzo combined to set up the second goal. Paulazzo carried the puck behind the Nanook net and sent a pass to Camper on the right. The RedHawk captain drew the defenders to him and then sent a pass to Smith who redirected it past Nanook goalie Scott Greenham for the 2-0 lead at 9:44 of the first frame.
Miami's third goal was set up by slap shot off the stick of sophomore Steve Mason. Paulazzo picked up the rebound and fired a shot that sent Greenham diving to the side. Junior Matt Tomassoni then batted in the loose puck while lying on his back for the 3-0 Miami lead midway through the second stanza. Paulazzo earned his second assist of the night on the play for his first career multi-point game.
Senior Pat Cannone finished off the scoring for the RedHawks when his attempted cross on a power play ricocheted off an Alaska defender's skate and into the net for the 4-0 advantage with less than four minutes to play in the second period.
"We want to get balanced scoring throughout all four lines," Cannone said. "Carter and Andy Miele have been doing a great job for us but we want to make sure all four lines contribute and I think we did a pretty good job of that tonight."
Neither side found the net in the third frame as Greenham finished with 15 saves in the game while Reichard made 10 in the third period alone. Miami also scored on the power play for the first time in five games, going 1-for-3, while Alaska was 0-for-5 with a man advantage.
The RedHawks go for their first sweep of Alaska since January of 2008 when the two sides meet up again Saturday at Steve Cady Arena with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m.
--MURedHawks.com--
