Nov. 27, 2010
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Despite falling behind early, the No. 5 Miami hockey team scored five unanswered goals, including three in the second period to grab the lead, as the RedHawks cruised to a 5-1 win over No. 19 Western Michigan Saturday night at Lawson Arena, earning a weekend split with the Broncos (7-4-3, 3-3-2-1 CCHA). Miami (9-4-3, 7-3-2-1 CCHA) improves to 8-0-0 when scoring four or more goals this year and also jumps into first place in the CCHA standings.
Senior forward Justin Vaive scored a pair of goals, both on special teams, including one of two RedHawk power play scores, while sophomore forward Reilly Smith tallied two points as well. Sophomore defenseman Joe Hartman tied a career high for points with a pair of helpers while Vaive's two goals were his second career two-goal game. Miami finished 2-for-6 on the power play while going 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The 'Hawks fired a season-high 42 shots while holding WMU to just 27 shots. Junior goalie Connor Knapp made a Miami season-high 26 saves to pick up his second straight win and third of the year while Bronco netminder Nick Pisellini stopped 37 shots.
For the second straight night, the Broncos jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking advantage of a power play. After Miami was unable to clear it out of the zone, Greg Squires took the puck at the blue line and fed an open Danny DeKeyser in the circle to the right of Knapp. DeKeyser beat Knapp near post, stick-side at 9:00 of the opening period.
In the closing seconds of the first frame Miami pulled even. Junior defenseman Chris Wideman sent in a drive through traffic from the blue line that was redirected by junior forward Matt Tomassoni, as the puck squirted through Pisellini's legs. The tally was Tomassoni's second of the year, coming with just 12.6 seconds left in the period.
Miami grabbed its first lead of the weekend 2:26 into the second period with a man advantage. Junior defenseman Cameron Schilling sent in the puck behind the net where sophomore forward Curtis McKenzie gathered it and quickly found Vaive unmarked in front of the net. Vaive easily one-timed it past Pisellini for the 2-1 advantage.
The 'Hawks upped their lead to 3-1 10:28 into the second stanza as Smith notched a highlight-reel goal. Smith carried the puck into the zone, dribbled through two Bronco defenders and beat Pisellini top shelf off his backhand. Miami tacked on another tally on the power play with 3:50 left in the second as senior forward Andy Miele smacked home a rebound after Smith had his first two attempts denied. Senior captain Carter Camper earned the second assist giving him nation bests of 32 points and 20 helpers.
Vaive then tallied his second goal of the night and third of the year 10:20 into the final frame, this time scoring short-handed. Senior forward Pat Cannone carried the puck into the offensive zone and slid a nifty pass through a Bronco defender to Vaive, who beat Pisellini five-hold. It was Miami's third short-handed score of the year.
A total of 12 players registered at least a point for Miami in the 5-1 victory.
The RedHawks return home for a marquee series against No. 11 Notre Dame Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4, as the top two teams in the CCHA standings do battle. Puck drop is set for 7:35 p.m. Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Steve Cady Ice Arena. Miami will also see WMU again Feb. 11-12 in Oxford.
--MURedHawks.com--
