March 16, 2012

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Postgame Press Conference

DETROIT - Junior forward Reilly Smith scored two goals but No. 14/14 Western Michigan scored four special teams goals as the Broncos defeated the No. 7/8 Miami hockey team, 6-2, Friday afternoon in the CCHA Semifinals at Joe Louis Arena. The loss snapped the RedHawks' (23-14-2) eight-game win streak while it was the Broncos' (20-13-6) first win over Miami this year as the `Hawks swept WMU earlier this season.

Western Michigan controlled much of the game, outshooting Miami, 36-21. The Broncos also took advantage of their power plays, going 3-for-9 on the man advantage while tallying a short-handed goal, as well. The RedHawks were whistled for 11 penalties for 25 minutes compared to WMU's five penalties for 10 minutes. Miami went 0-for-3 on its power play chances, all of which came in the first 26 minutes of the game.

"Every time we got a little bit close, they did a nice job of scoring right away and really deflating us," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "Western deserved to win tonight. They were the better team tonight."

The Broncos grabbed a 1-0 lead with 12:04 left in the first period. Western Michigan carried the puck into the offensive zone on a 3-on-1 break after a RedHawk defender missed a check. Garrett Haar skated down the left boards and waited until the lone RedHawk defender committed before crossing the puck to Greg Squires for the one-timer, top-shelf on the far post.

Western Michigan doubled their lead with its short-handed goal with 2:40 remaining in the opening stanza. After a RedHawk defender misplayed the puck in the attacking zone on the blue line, the puck carried down the ice where J.J. Crew picked it up and skated alone toward goal. He forced senior goalie Connor Knapp low before roofing the puck to make it 2-0.

Miami quickly answered however, cutting the deficit in half just 50 seconds later on a goal by Smith. Freshman forward Austin Czarnik carried the puck into the zone and fed senior defenseman Chris Wideman at the blue line. Wideman fired in a shot that Smith, with his back to the goal between the circles, redirected into the net, extending his point streak to a career-long nine games.

The Broncos used a pair of power play goals in the second period, however, to grab a 4-1 lead. Just 2:07 into the second stanza, the puck popped loose from a scrum on the side of the net to Squires, who was alone in front of the cage. Knapp went low and Squire shot high for his second tally of the night. With 10:13 left in the middle period, WMU again struck on the man advantage. After some tic-tac-toe passing, Mike Leone passed to Luke Witkowski at the blue line, where he fired a wrister that was deflected by Will Kessel and into the net. Knapp was then pulled in favor of classmate Cody Reichard.

Smith again gave the RedHawks hope with a short-handed goal of his own, his second shorty this year, 10:46 into the final frame, making it a 4-2 contest. Senior defenseman Cameron Schilling grabbed a loose puck in the offensive zone, circled behind the net and skated out front before sending a crossing pass through traffic to Smith on the backdoor for the goal. With his pair of goals, Smith now has a career-high 29 on the year, which is second nationally, and 65 for his career, which ties for 10th in Miami history.

The hope was short-lived however, as just 29 seconds later, Kessel scored for a second time, beating Reichard five seconds after Miami had just killed a penalty to put the Broncos' lead back to three at 5-2. Justin Kovacs and Kyle O'Kane picked up the assists. Less than three minutes later, WMU sealed the deal with their third power play goal off the stick of Matt Tennyson, as his laser put the final at 6-2.

Despite the three power play goals, the RedHawks did kill two 5-on-3 power plays and a five-minute major over the final two frames. Knapp and Reichard each finished with 15 saves while WMU netminder Frank Slubowski totaled 19 saves.

"I am pretty sure the team has short memories," Blasi said. "We have to regroup tomorrow. The CCHA Championship is no longer an option and hopefully we play better in the NCAAs."

Miami returns to the ice Saturday at 3:35 p.m. in the third-place game at Joe Louis Arena against the loser of Bowling Green and Michigan, who are playing in Friday's second semifinal.