Miami University
Alaska
Miami Finishes Sweep of UAF with 2-1 Win
11/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Nov. 6, 2011
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Sophomore forward Max Cook broke a 1-1 deadlock in the third period to lead the Miami University hockey team to a second straight 2-1 win over Alaska Saturday night at the Carlson Center, giving the RedHawks their first sweep of the season. With the victory, Miami (4-6-0, 2-4-0-0 CCHA) improved to 5-0-1 in its last three meetings with the Nanooks (3-5-2, 0-4-2-0 CCHA) in Alaska while winning back-to-back games for just the second time this year.
Strong goaltending and a gritty penalty kill again proved key for the RedHawks, as Miami went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill Saturday after going 7-for-7 Friday. The `Hawks have now killed 16 straight penalties dating back to Oct. 28. Senior goalie Cody Reichard got the start in net for the second consecutive night, again allowing just one goal, which ties Miami's season low, as he made 24 saves in the game for his third win of 2011.
The squads played a scoreless first period but both sides had opportunities on the power play. Miami earned an early power play and created good chances, but couldn't poke it in. The Nanooks then had their turn and while on their first power play, freshman Austin Czarnik was called for a five-minute major for checking from behind and given a game disqualification. The RedHawk penalty kill held strong on both the 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 advantages and as the Alaska power play was ending, UAF's Andy Taranto was given a five-minute major and a disqualification for contact to the head on senior Patrick Tiesling. Miami, however, continued its struggles on the man advantage as the opening period ended scoreless.
The second period saw fast-paced action and strong goaltending. The RedHawks finally broke the 0-0 deadlock 6:25 into the middle frame when junior forward Curtis McKenzie scored his second goal of the year. While on the power play, junior defenseman Steven Spinell fired a blast from the blue line that McKenzie redirected out of the air in front of the net to put Miami ahead, 1-0. Freshman forward Tyler Biggs picked up the second assist, extending his point streak to a career-long four games. The power play goal was Miami's first since Oct. 14.
The Nanooks nearly drew level less than a minute later when Jarrett Granberg hit the pipe despite having a yawning cage. UAF then went on the power play but Reichard came up large with several big saves to keep them off the board. As the Alaska man advantage was nearing an end, Biggs almost tallied a short-handed goal on a rebound but UAF netminder Scott Greenham made a sprawling leg save. Greenham again denied the `Hawks with under two minutes to go in the second stanza as McKenzie got his stick on a 2-on-1 break but another sprawling pad save kept it a 1-0 contest.
With just over a minute left in the middle 20 minutes, UAF's Cody Kunyk fired wide on a breakaway. However, Alaska did level the contest with just 7.4 seconds left in the period on a rebound. The Nanooks stole the puck at Miami's attacking blue line and skated the other way. Reichard made the initial stop on Scott Enders but Nik Yaremchuk back-handed the rebound past Reichard, who was on the ground, to even the game at 1-1.
The RedHawks regained the lead 8:32 into the third period when Cook scored his second career goal and first of the year, which turned out to be his first-career game-winning goal. Tiesling left the puck in the corner for freshman forward Jimmy Mullin, who worked his way behind the net, where he centered to Cook, who was camped in front of the net. Cook quickly fired top shelf to beat Greenham and give Miami the 2-1 advantage.
Alaska pulled Greenham with 1:24 left in the contest in favor of the extra attacker, following a UAF timeout, but the RedHawk defense held strong to secure the win and complete the weekend sweep.
The Nanooks finished with a 25-23 edge in shots, outshooting Miami for the second straight night, while Greenham ended with 21 stops in defeat. The RedHawks finished 1-for-5 on the power play, scoring their first man-advantage goal in their last 27 power play chances.
The RedHawks look to keep their momentum rolling when they return home next weekend to host No. 3/3 Michigan Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12 at Steve Cady Arena. Puck drop Friday is set for 7:35 p.m. while Saturday's game is slated for 7:05 p.m.
--MURedHawks.com--
