March 26, 2011
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MANCHESTER, N.H. - Top-seeded Miami jumped out to an early lead less than a minute into the game but fourth-seeded New Hampshire answered right back and used a quick third-period goal to break the deadlock as the Wildcats held on for a 3-1 win in the first round of the Northeast Regional of the NCAA Tournament Saturday at Verizon Wireless Arena. The RedHawks' season comes to a close with a record of 23-10-6 while UNH (22-10-6) advances to the regional final Sunday at 8 p.m. against the winner of Merrimack and Notre Dame.
Miami wasted no time making a dent on the scoreboard as freshman Bryon Paulazzo scored for the third straight game on his fourth career tally just 53 seconds into the contest. Senior Carter Camper skated down the left side of the ice and passed back to Paulazzo, who was open in front of the net. UNH goalie Matt DiGirolamo made the initial save but Paulazzo put home his own rebound for a 1-0 lead.
The advantage was short-lived however, as exactly a minute later, the Wildcats pulled even on a goal by Kevin Goumas. Matt Campanale fired a shot wide that bounced off the boards behind the goal to the other side where Goumas was in the right place at the right time for the easy put in before junior goalie Cody Reichard could recover.
With 13:31 remaining in the opening stanza, New Hampshire appeared to take a 2-1 lead as Paul Thompson wrapped around the net and centered the puck as it found its way into the net. The goal was ruled to have been intentionally kicked in however, keeping the game even at 1-1. The contest would then settle down after a frantic start as the first frame ended 1-1 with UNH holding a 10-8 edge in shots on goal.
Four and a half minutes into the second stanza, the Wildcats looked poised to break the deadlock but Reichard stoned Mike Sislo on a breakaway with a pad save to keep the game knotted. The `Hawks remained on the defensive much of the middle 20 minutes, killing three UNH power plays as the game remained tied after a scoreless second period.
New Hampshire quickly broke the deadlock on a back-door goal 39 seconds into the third period to make it 2-1. Blake Kessel sent a pass from the point across the front of the net to an open Sislo, who had the easy put-away as he stood at the back post. The Wildcats nearly made it 3-1 on their fourth power play of the game, but junior Alden Hirschfeld used his leg to save a sure goal as UNH was shooting at a yawning cage.
Miami failed to convert on two third-period power plays and was forced to pull Reichard with less than two minutes to go. With 1:26 remaining, UNH skated the puck up to mid-ice and Goumas flicked a high wrister that sailed into the empty net to seal the 3-1 victory for the Wildcats.
New Hampshire outshot the `Hawks 27-22 in the contest while Reichard, who made several spectacular saves, ended with 24 saves in the loss, which snapped Miami's school-record 13-game unbeaten streak. DiGirolamo totaled 21 saves to earn the win. The RedHawks finished 0-for-3 on the power play while UNH was also held in check on the man advantage going 0-for-4.
Miami's senior class of Camper, Pat Cannone, Vincent LoVerde, Andy Miele and Justin Vaive finish their careers as the second-winningest class in school history, racking up 108 wins, while also leading Miami to two Frozen Fours, four NCAA Tournament appearances, a CCHA regular-season championship last year and the school's first ever Mason Cup, which was captured this season. The RedHawks also earned their sixth straight 20-win season in 2010-11.
--MURedHawks.com--
