Miami Postgame Notes vs. Ohio State
2/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Feb. 24, 2012
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
Oxford, Ohio - Steve Cady Arena
Miami Hockey Postgame Notes
Junior forward Reilly Smith scored his 24th goal of the year in the first period Friday, which turned out to be the game-winner, his eighth game-winning goal of the season, which ties the school's single-season record held by Tim Leahy (1996-97). The eight game-winners lead the country, as well. He also now is tied for second in school history in career game-winners with 12, joining Andy Miele (2007-11). Smith added an insurance goal in the third period to score his CCHA-leading 25th goal of the season, which ranks second nationally. He is now riding a three-game goal streak, which ties a season long, and extended his point streak to five games, also tying a season-long and tying the longest by any RedHawk this year. He has five goals and six points in his last five games.
Smith's goal marked the 23rd time in 35 games this year Miami has scored first, as the RedHawks are now 17-5-1 when scoring first. Miami improved to 16-1-0 when leading after two periods as well and has won 16 straight when taking the lead into the third period. The RedHawks' only loss when leading after two was the first game of the season against Bemidji State on Oct. 7, 2011.
Senior goaltender Connor Knapp earned his school record-tying 12th career shutout Friday. He is now tied with classmate Cody Reichard and David Burleigh, who played from 1999-03. It was Knapp's fourth shutout of the season, with all of them coming in 2012, and second in his last three games. His fourth shutout of the season ties his career high from 2009-10. He has not allowed more than one goal in 11 of his last 14 games while earning his 11th win in his last 14 starts.
As a team, Miami has six shutouts on the season, which is first in the CCHA. The `Hawks are giving up 2.09 goals per game, which ranks second nationally and ties for first in the conference. Miami is surrendering 2.00 goals per game in CCHA games, which is first in the league.
Knapp moved into first in the country in goals-against average with a 1.56 GAA and is third in save percentage with a .938 behind Troy Grosenick of Union and Chris Noonan of Niagara, who are tied for the lead with a .939 save percentage. Knapp also currently ranks first in Miami history with a 1.92 career GAA and second with a .918 career save percentage.
With the win, Miami clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming CCHA Tournament as Miami can finish no worse than fifth but could still finish as high as second in the CCHA. The RedHawks also claimed the Ohio Cup with the win as Miami has a 2-0-1 record in games against Ohio State and Bowling Green (Miami's series vs. OSU in December did not count towards the Ohio Cup) while OSU and BGSU tied both their games with each other.
Freshman forward Blake Coleman lit the lamp late in the third period to cap off the scoring. With his goal, Miami rookies have scored in 23 of 35 games this year. RedHawk freshmen have tallied 39 of Miami's 98 goals this season, good for 39.8 percent. The freshmen have also accounted for 37.1 percent of the team's points with 96 of the 259 points on the season after tallying five of the seven points Friday night.
Freshman forward Jimmy Mullin assisted on both of Smith's goals to match a career high of two assists. It was his fifth career multi-point game. Smith's two goals marked his fifth multi-goal game this year and 14th career multi-goal game.
Miami earned its seventh-straight 20-win season under head coach Enrico Blasi with the victory Friday night. The RedHawks have totaled at least 20 wins in 10 of Blasi's 13 seasons.
Miami is now riding a season-long five-game winning streak. Prior to this stretch, Miami had not won more than three games in a row all season.
Miami recognized its 10 seniors following the game as part of Senior Night as Ben Saksa, Patrick Tiesling, Chris Wideman, Matt Tomassoni, Cameron Schilling, Trent Vogelhuber, Connor Knapp, Cody Reichard, Alden Hirschfeld and Will Weber all played their final regular-season home game Friday. The class has combined for 95 wins, which ranks fifth in school history.
--MURedHawks.com--
