Miami University
Northern Michigan
No. 19 Wildcats Slip Past No. 17 Miami, 2-1
1/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Jan. 27, 2012
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Postgame Press Conference
OXFORD, Ohio - Despite outshooting No. 19 Northern Michigan 41-13, the No. 17 Miami hockey team was unable to erase an early two-goal deficit and fell to the Wildcats, 2-1, Friday night at Steve Cady Arena. The RedHawks (14-11-2, 10-9-2-1 CCHA) had a chance to move into a first-place tie in the CCHA with a win, but were unable to get passed Northern Michigan (12-8-5, 7-7-5-2 CCHA) netminder Jared Coreau.
The loss was Miami's third this season to the Wildcats in as many games after dropping both prior contests in early December at NMU by scores of 2-1 and 5-1. Miami limited the Wildcats to a season-low 13 shots, which were also the fewest the `Hawks allowed all season, but were unable to figure out Coreau, who finished with 40 saves.
"When you get down to this time of the year, one thing you can't get is frustrated," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "You have to play with composure and discipline. You have to make plays under duress. Hopefully one thing we learned from tonight was exactly that, you have to keep playing no matter what."
Justin Florek put the Wildcats ahead 1-0 at the 11:35 mark of the first period when he received a pass from Erik Higby in the high slot where Florek wristed the puck over senior goaltender Connor Knapp's right shoulder for a goal. The shot was NMU's first shot on goal of the game.
The `Cats then made it 2-0 when Tyler Gron received an outlet pass from Matt Thurber before burying the puck five-hole on a breakaway with 4:13 left in the first period. Friday marked the first time in six games that an opponent has gotten more than one goal past Knapp, though he did not allow another the rest of the game, finishing with 11 saves.
In the second period, Miami fell victim to some misfortune as senior defenseman Cameron Schilling rang a shot off the post that could've pulled the Red and White to within one. Freshman forward Tyler Biggs then had a breakaway shortly thereafter but Coreau was there to keep the `Hawks off the scoreboard.
Miami finally got on the board when freshman forward Blake Coleman pushed the puck past Coreau 1:53 into the final frame. Coleman won the face-off in the offensive zone back to senior defenseman Chris Wideman. Wideman circled toward the net before letting loose a shot that found its way to Coleman on the far post where he slammed it in, cutting the deficit to 2-1. It was Coleman's eighth goal of the year.
The RedHawks were unable to convert on their three power play chances on the night, including a third-period penalty to NMU's CJ Ludwig. The `Hawks had several chances to level the game on their final man advantage, keeping the puck in the offensive zone for the entire two minutes, but did not cash in. Knapp was pulled for the extra skater with 1:18 to go but it was to no avail.
Miami dominated the final stanza, tallying 17 shots in the period, but was only able to get one by a red-hot Coreau. For the first time this season and first time since the 1996-97 season, Miami did not commit a single penalty all game.
"It was a tough game, a tough one to lose. I thought we had a lot of chances out there. Their goalie made some good saves," senior captain Alden Hirschfeld said. "We had a couple of turnovers that cost us. I thought we fought back really hard and we just have to let this one go and get ready for tomorrow."
Miami looks to even the weekend series Saturday as the RedHawks square off against the Wildcats again at 7:05 p.m. at Steve Cady Arena.
--MURedHawks.com--
