HAMILTON, N.Y. – A 29-save performance from
Ryan Larkin made two first period goals stand up as the Miami hockey team blanked Colgate 2-0 on Saturday.
The RedHawks (2-3-2) picked up their first series victory of the year with the win.
After rallying in the third to force a tie last weekend, the RedHawks got things going offensively early on. After MU dug the puck out of the half wall,
Monte Graham netted his first goal of the season by pouncing on a rebound from a
Phil Knies shot for his first goal of the year after
Brian Hawkinson won possession along the boards. That staked Miami to a 1-0 lead just 1:08 into the frame.
The Raiders (1-4-2) went on a power play with 8:20 left and used that to start getting some pressure on the RedHawk goal. MU was able to kill that penalty off thanks to strong play in net from
Ryan Larkin. With time winding down in the period, Miami added to its lead thanks to another rebound goal.
Casey Gilling rang a shot off the crossbar that bounced directly to
Jack Clement, who fired the puck into a wide-open net to score for the second-straight night.
Karch Bachman also earned a helper on the play 2-0.
Colgate finished the first period with a 14-6 shot advantage and got another power play in the latter stages. CU had a couple cracks on a rebound with time winding down, but
Ryan Larkin made a huge glove save to allow the Red & White to skate the dressing room with the 2-0 lead intact.
CU had its carryover power play killed off and MU was able to limit the opposing chances a bit more in the second. The Raiders did go on another power play midway through the period, but did not connect. Miami also had a couple bids on a power play in the frame, one of which created a few chances, including a
Ryan Savage one-timer from the slot that Mitch Benson stopped. Ultimately, the score did not budge as Miami maintained its 2-0 lead through 40 minutes.
With the third period featuring 28 additional seconds of power play time for Miami, special teams got on the ice with regularity in the final frame. In their attempts to rally, the Raiders thwarted their own efforts by taking three minor penalties in the frame. While MU was unable to build onto its lead, it took precious time off the clock all the same.
The Raiders had one good bid during 4-on-4 play with Bobby McMann redirected a feed in front that Larkin steered aside. Colgate pulled Mitch Benson for an extra skater in the final minute, but nothing came of its efforts as Miami preserved both the victory and Larkin's sixth-career shutout.
Colgate finished with a 29-19 shot advantage, though it was a much closer 15-13 in the final two periods of play. For the second-straight night, neither power play factored into the scoring with Miami going 0-for-5 and Colgate 0-for-4 on the man advantage. Larkin picked up his second victory of the season with the shutout effort.
Miami returns home briefly for an exhibition tilt with the US National Team Development Program on Friday. Opening faceoff at Steve 'Coach' Cady Arena is at 7:05 p.m.
