Feb. 10, 2012

Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
Postgame Press Conference

OXFORD, Ohio - No. 20 Miami Hockey bounced back after a tough weekend in Michigan as the RedHawks defeated the University of Alabama in Huntsville, 3-1, Friday night at Steve Cady Arena in non-conference action. The RedHawks (16-13-2) took control of the game early in the second period, as they tallied two unanswered goals to break a 1-1 tie and skated to the win over the Chargers (2-27-1).

Miami received stellar play from senior netminder Connor Knapp and freshman forward Austin Czarnik, who had a pair of helpers. Knapp improved to 9-6-0 this season, stonewalling the UAH offense as he turned aside 11 of the 12 shots he faced. Knapp has now held opposing teams to one or fewer goals eight times this season while the 12 shots on goal allowed were a season low for a RedHawk opponent.

"I thought we played hard. I thought our second and third periods were our best periods," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "You know, they keep coming at you and you've got to be ready to make plays, and we did that. We played well, we just have to keep going from here, we have to get ready to play tomorrow."

Miami struck first as freshman forward Tyler Biggs converted on a power play at 9:28 of the first period. Czarnik won the faceoff in the offensive zone to senior defenseman Chris Wideman. Biggs took a feed from Wideman at the right faceoff dot and roofed the puck over the Chargers netminder Clarke Saunders' shoulder for the 1-0 lead. It was Biggs' seventh tally of the year.

UAH tallied a power play goal of its own in the first period as Jamie Easton found the back of the net with 6:06 left to play in the first stanza, knotting the game at 1-1. Lasse Uusivirta and Tom Durnie also added assists on the goal.

Sophomore forward Bryon Paulazzo broke the deadlock as he took his own rebound behind the net for a wrap-around shot that found its way between the post and Saunders at 3:59 of the second period for a 2-1 lead. Paulazzo received a pass from senior forward Trent Vogelhuber right on the Charger doorstep where he tried to redirect the pass into the net. After his shot sailed wide to the left, Paulazzo took the puck around the net before depositing it behind the goalie, giving the RedHawks their second lead of the night. Curtis McKenzie also had a helper on the play.

Junior forward Reilly Smith extended the `Hawks lead to 3-1 minutes later as he shoveled in a rebound off freshman defenseman Ben Paulides' point shot with 13:53 left in the second period. Paulides took a pass from Czarnik at the point where he fired a shot at the net. The UAH netminder made the initial save, but was unable to stop Smith as he chopped the rebound into the net. Smith continues to lead the CCHA and ranks second nationally with 21 goals on the season.

Miami dictated play in the second period, as it heavily outshot the Chargers 14-5 in the frame. Miami finished the game with 32 shots on goal, as Saunders totaled 29 saves. The RedHawks went 1-for-4 on the power play while Alabama-Huntsville was 1-for-3 with an extra attacker but were unable to even get a shot on goal during a five-minute power play midway through the final frame.

"(Will) Weber is a big part for us, he's our captain, he's one of our leaders. But (Garrett) Kennedy stepped in today and he did a really good job, and I think everyone had a pretty good game all around after the first (period)," Czarnik said of playing without senior defenseman Will Weber, who missed his first game of the year Friday due to a CCHA suspension.

The `Hawks go for a weekend sweep of the Chargers Saturday night when the two teams meet again at Steve Cady Arena at 7:05 p.m. It will be Swoop's Stoop night as the team will wear special jerseys to promote senior goalie Cody Reichard's foundation, as he will be recognized prior to the game. It is also Skate with the `Hawks night. Miami is now 7-1-0 all-time against UAH, having won each of the last seven meetings.