March 14, 2010
Box Score
By Drew Davis
Photo Gallery
OXFORD, Ohio - No. 2/1 Miami got a stellar performance in net from sophomore Connor Knapp, while Cameron Schilling and Alden Hirschfeld scored goals to lead the RedHawks to a 2-1 victory over Ohio State in a decisive Game 3 of the CCHA Quarterfinal series. With the win, the RedHawks secured a spot in the CCHA Championship Round against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Friday.
Knapp, in his first game action since the Feb. 27 regular-season finale against the eighth-seeded Buckeyes, held upset-minded visitors scoreless until 14:20, a span of 144:14 covering three games.
"We have two No. 1 goalies," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "We were very confident about Cody and we were very confident about Connor tonight. He's been pretty darn good all year long."
Hirschfeld, also a sophomore, scored his second career game-winner at 10:15 of the final period when he put Miami ahead, 2-0. Sophomore defenseman Cameron Schilling scored the first goal for the RedHawks at 9:15 of the second frame.
The teams skated to a scoreless first period. Miami controlled the pace over the opening 20 minutes, placing 10 shots on goal while limiting the Buckeyes to just two. Buckeye netminder Dustin Carlson held strong between the pipes, keeping the RedHawks off the board.
Schilling broke the tie at 9:15 of the second period to give Miami the 1-0 lead. Junior Tommy Wingels got the puck low and the left side and passed back to his classmate, Vincent LoVerde in the left faceoff circle. LoVerde crossed it to the right faceoff circle, where Schilling settled it and ripped a low wrist shot through traffic and into the back of the net.
"We did a really good job [of limiting chances] in the first and second," Blasi said. "Once we got that first one, that was huge for us. You want to be playing from the lead."
For the rest of the period, Ohio State tried to get the goal back, taking a total of 10 shots in the second frame, but Knapp blocked everything that came his way with help from the Red and White defense.
Hirschfeld added his goal at 10:15 of the final period with a low wrister from just outside the crease on the left side. Wingels had carried it into the zone and passed to Hirschfeld on the left side where the left wing took over, skated in and beat Carlson for the 2-0 lead. Schilling picked up the second assist on the play.
As time ticked off the clock, Ohio State tried desperately to get back into the game.
"Their season was on the line and we knew they were going to come out hard," Knapp said. "We knew we had to match their intensity and stay within our game plan and we executed."
At 14:20, while working on the power play, the Buckeyes put together a series of passe s and used a perfectly placed one-timer to get one past a diving Knapp.
With just under a minute remaining and a member of each team in the penalty box, Ohio State pulled Carlson in favor of the extra attacker. The Buckeyes used the 5-on-4 advantage to create scoring chances, but the Miami defense and Knapp stopped all attacks to preserve the 2-1 victory.
"It's what we expected," Blasi said. "Do or die, game 7, if you will. I thought both teams played their hearts out. I don't know if you can ask for anything more from either team. We just got one more bounce than they did. They really came after us."
The RedHawks will travel to "The Joe" in Detroit to face Michigan in the CCHA Semifinals on Friday, March 19. The championship and third place games will be on Saturday. Up-to-the minute details on the semifinal game are available here.
"Not many Miami teams have made it to the Joe," Knapp added. "Even though we've had a lot of success the last five years, not many of them have gone to the Joe. Our seniors have only been there once. It's a big honor to make it there."
"Michigan's Michigan and they're going to come after you and you better be ready," Blasi said. "And they're at home, if you will. It's going to be exciting and should be a lot of fun."
