Miami Postgame Notes vs. Western Michigan
3/16/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
March 16, 2012
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CCHA Semifinals
Friday, March 16, 2012
Detroit, Michigan - Joe Louis Arena
Miami Hockey Postgame Notes
Miami dropped the CCHA Championship semifinal opener at Joe Louis Arena to Western Michigan by a score of 6-2. The loss ends an eight-game winning streak for the RedHawks and a seven-consecutive CCHA playoff game winning streak, which dated back to 2010. It also ends Miami's bid at repeating as Mason Cup Champions.
The RedHawks' loss to the Broncos was only the second in five years, going 12-1-2 prior to Friday, with the other loss coming Nov. 26, 2010. It was the first defeat to WMU in the CCHA Tournament since 1994. Overall, Miami leads the all-time series with WMU 56-51-10 and fall to 5-2 against WMU in the CCHA Tournament.
Junior forward Reilly Smith extended his point streak to a career-long nine games with his goal in the first period. With two goals on the night, it was his sixth multi-goal game of the season and 15th of his career. His second goal was scored on the penalty kill in the third period was his second short-handed goal on the season and fourth of his career. He now has 29 goals on the year, which is a career high (he had 28 last year), and ranks second nationally. The 29 goals also tie for seventh in Miami single-season history. He now has 65 career goals, which ties him for 10th all-time in Miami history with John Ciotti ('84) and Greg Hogeboom ('04).
Senior defenseman Chris Wideman participated in the 161st game of his career. It ties him with Ryan Jones ('08) for third all-time in school history.
Freshman forward Austin Czarnik tallied an assist on the first Miami goal. It extends his point scoring streak to a career-long five games.
Miami's six goals against were a season high, previously allowing five three other times. The four goal differential ties a season worst with the loss on Dec. 3 to Northern Michigan (5-1). It was the first time in seven contests that Miami failed to score first. With the defeat, it drops the RedHawks' record to 3-9-1 when giving up the first goal. Miami allowed a short-handed goal for the first time since the Feb. 4 loss to Michigan, a span of eight games. It was also the first game since Feb. 4 that Miami failed to score more than two goals.
Senior goaltender Connor Knapp made 15 saves on 19 shots. The four goals against ties a season high with the loss on Oct. 28 to Lake Superior State. The first Western Michigan goal was the first even-strength goal given up by Knapp since the Feb. 4 game at Michigan, a span of eight starts. It was also the first time Knapp and Miami allowed more than one goal since Feb. 4.
Senior goaltender Cody Reichard took over for Knapp in the second period. It was his first action in seven games, with his last appearance coming on Feb. 11 against Alabama-Huntsville. He made 15 saves on 17 shots.
--MURedHawks.com--
