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March 2008
NCAA: Boston College 4, Miami 3
Miami dominates most of overtime, but suffers a devastating 4-3 defeat to Boston College in the NCAA Northeast Regional when BC freshman Joe Whitney, falling down as he dove for the puck, scores the winning goal 12:12 into the extra period.
A bitter bill to swallow for the RedHawks, who finish 33-8-1 and are denied their first-ever Frozen Four berth. It’s their third straight NCAA loss to Boston College.
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NCAA: Miami-Boston College In OT
The Northeast Regional final between Miami and Boston College is tied 3-3 at the end of three periods. Sudden-death overtime will begin in about 13 minutes here at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
This will be the RedHawks’ third OT contest in their last four … they beat Notre Dame and Air Force in those previous overtime games.
Miami 3, Boston College 3. The winner goes to the Frozen Four.
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NCAA: Miami 3, Boston College 3
Miami senior captain Ryan Jones has just tied the game at 3-3, taking a pass from freshman Carter Camper in front of the net and beating Boston College goalie John Muse. The time was 9:02 of the third period.
The last half of the final period is here …
Miami 3, Boston College 3
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NCAA: Boston College 3, Miami 2
Timeout on the ice with 11:13 remaining, Miami still trails Boston College 3-2. The RedHawks have had one power-play opportunity so far in the third period, but couldn’t capitalize.
That’s the latest …
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NCAA: Boston College 3, Miami 2
In a stunning reversal of fortune, Boston College has scored three goals in a span of 1:58 to move ahead of Miami 3-2 in the Northeast Regional final at DCU Center.
Nick Petrecki scored at the 16:48 mark of the second period for the Eagles, Nathan Gerbe scored at 17:02 and Ben Smith found the back of the net at 18:46. An unbelievable shift in momentum.
The second period is over. It’s 3-2 Eagles with 20 minutes remaining.
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NCAA: Miami 2, Boston College 0
Miami has taken a 2-0 lead against Boston College in the NCAA Northeast Regional final at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
At the 8:34 mark of the second period, Nino Musitelli gets a Brian Kaufman pass in front of the net and sends the puck past Eagles goalie John Muse. It is Musitelli’s ninth goal of the season.
Boston College has hit Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff with several extreme clusters of shots, but Zatkoff has held firm to this point.
There’s 9:45 left in the second period.
Miami 2, Boston College 0
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NCAA: Miami 1, Boston College 0
The second period is just beginning here at the DCU Center and Miami still leads 1-0 on the strength of Jarod Palmer’s goal. RedHawks goalie Jeff Zatkoff has been outstanding with 13 saves, weathering a barrage of Boston College shots.
The Eagles outshot Miami 13-10 in the first period.
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NCAA: Miami 1, Boston College 0
It won’t be a shutout this year. Miami, blanked by a combined 9-0 in its last two NCAA meetings in 2006 and 2007 with Boston College, has scored 90 seconds into the game in the Northeast Regional final at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.
Alec Martinez takes a shot that is blocked by Eagle goalie John Muse, but Jarod Palmer is right there for the rebound and makes it 1-0.
Timeout on the ice, 15:38 left in the first period
Miami 1, Boston College 0
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NCAA: Miami vs. Boston College
It’s round 3 for Miami against Boston College, and the first two rounds didn’t go so well. The RedHawks lost to BC 5-0 here two years ago and 4-0 in New Hampshire last season, giving MU convincing NCAA exits both seasons.
This is the Northeast Regional final at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. The winner goes to the Frozen Four in Denver and will play in the national semifinals on April 10.
The big news for Miami today is that senior forward Nathan Davis, who reinjured his left shoulder in the first round against Air Force on Saturday, will not play today and is out for the rest of the season. It appears to be a separated shoulder that will require surgery.
Facts from today:
It’s 33-7-1 Miami vs. 22-11-8 Boston College, starting right now. The RedHawks are in white, the Eagles are in maroon.
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NCAA: Miami-Air Force Follow
Here are some notes and observations from Miami’s 3-2 overtime victory over Air Force Saturday in the NCAA Northeast Regional here at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. …
The RedHawks were fortunate to win. The Falcons were better than advertised and had that intangible “will to win” that nearly did just that in the face of an athletically superior opponent. Air Force coach Frank Serratore is right on when he talks about the character that academy kids bring to athletics. Thank God for all of us, really, that these kids are the way they are. They may be saving all of our lives someday …
Air Force senior forward Eric Ehn returned to action after being sidelined by injuries since January. Ehn had no points, but played well. He was also classy in defeat after the gut-wrenching ending. He was asked about what it meant to be back on the ice.
“For me, it was pretty magical,” he said. “Not so much that I got to play again, but just the way my teammates played. For these guys to go out and win the Atlantic Hockey championship while I was in the crowd, I was just so proud of them. Just to join them on the ice for this is a dream come true. We played as good as we can play I think and gave ourselves a chance to win. There’s disappointment there, but you can’t hang your head abaout the way you played, especially taking the second-ranked team in the country to overtime.”
For Miami …
The win extended a lengthy streak in games when they score first. They are now 22-0 in such games this year. Freshman Tommy Wingels had the first goal Saturday in the opening 19 seconds.
Freshman Carter Camper had a goal and an assist against Air Force, his ninth multi-point effort of the season. The only two Miami players with more multi-point games this season are Ryan Jones (12) and Justin Mercier (10).
Miami is 9-0 against teams outside the Central Collegiate Hockey Association this year. Two CCHA teams, Michigan and Notre Dame, have already advanced to the Frozen Four in Denver in other regionals. The other two Frozen Four teams will come from today’s matchups: Miami vs. Boston College and North Dakota vs. Wisconsin. The winners of those two games will square off in the national semifinals April 10.
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NCAA: Miami-Boston College III
The Miami University hockey team is one win away from the Frozen Four in Denver, but the RedHawks will have to overcome a big, familiar obstacle to get there.
Boston College defeated Minnesota 5-2 in Saturday’s second NCAA Northeast Regional contest at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. That means the Eagles will square off with Miami for the regional title Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Good news for MU? Well, decide for yourself. Boston College has knocked the RedHawks out of the NCAA tournament the last two seasons, 5-0 and 4-0, respectively.
I’ll provide some pre-game information and live blogging Sunday afternoon, so stay tuned.
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NCAA: Miami 3, Air Force 2
It’s over at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., and Miami is one win away from the Frozen Four in Denver.
Justin Mercier scored an unassisted goal at the 15:21 mark of overtime to give the RedHawks a 3-2 victory.
Miami will play for the Northeast Regional championship Sunday against either Boston College or Minnesota at 4:30 p.m.
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NCAA OT: Miami 2, Air Force 2
We’re heading to overtime at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. Miami has rallied to tie Air Force 2-2 in the NCAA Northeast Regional. Both goals for the RedHawks by freshmen, Tommy Wingels and Carter Camper. Some great saves on both sides by MU’s Jeff Zatkoff and Air Force’s Andrew Volkening, particularly the latter.
Miami senior forward Nathan Davis has missed the majority of the game with an undisclosed injury.
The RedHawks have a 26-19 advantage in shots. Volkening has 24 saves, Zatkoff 17. Air Force is 0-for-1 on the power play, Miami is 1-for-4.
Now it’s sudden-death OT …
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NCAA: Miami 2, Air Force 2
Miami has just tied the game against Air Force with 6:16 left in the third period. Alec Martinez ripped a shot that was deflected and put in the net by freshman Carter Camper. It was a power-play goal with 26 seconds left in the power play. The Falcons were penalied 2:00 for having too many players on the ice.
5:10 remaining …
Miami 2, Air Force 2
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NCAA: Air Force 2, Miami 1
11:16 left in the third period, timeout on the ice
Miami still trailing Air Force 2-1
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NCAA: Air Force 2, Miami 1
Miami outshot Air Force 11-7 while getting outscored 2-0 in the second period. Overall, the RedHawks have a 20-15 edge in shots.
Air Force goalie Andrew Volkening has 19 saves, Miami’s Jeff Zatkoff has 13.
The RedHawks getting plenty of close-to-net opportunities, but Volkening has been a force most of the way.
Can Miami avoid the first-round upset as the top seed in the Northeast Regiona? We’ll know soon.
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NCAA: Air Force 2, Miami 1
The second period is history, and Miami is 20 minutes away from a possible ouster from the NCAA tournament. Air Force’s two second-period goals and the stellar play of goalie Andrew Volkening have the Falcons holding a 2-1 lead.
Statistics to follow ….
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NCAA: Air Force 2, Miami 1
Getting used to wireless difficulties wherever I go …
Suddenly Air Force has a 2-1 lead over Miami here at the DCU Center. The Falcons have scored twice in the second period, one goal by Derrick Burnett at the 3:21 mark and another by Josh Print at 8:34. Burnett’s tally was a rebound off MU goalie Jeff Zatkoff, and Print took control of a bouncing puck near the net the beat Zatkoff with a shot.
Air Force goalie Andrew Volkening has come up with some huge saves after falling behind 1-0 in the opening 19 seconds of the game. The RedHawks have had a lot of opportunities around the net, getting stopped by near-misses and Volkening.
There’s 9:00 left in the second period …
Air Force 2, Miami 1
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NCAA: Miami 1, Air Force 0
That didn’t take long. Nineteen seconds into the game, Miami freshman Tommy Wingels rips a shot to the upper left of Air Force goalie Andrew Volkening, and just like that it’s 1-0.
It’s the 15th goal of the season for Wingels. Assists go to Ryan Jones and Carter Camper, who now has at least one point in 16 of his last 17 games.
Miami 1, Air Force 0
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NCAA: Miami vs. Air Force
Greetings from the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. We’re about 50 miles west of Boston in central Massachusetts, and the opening faceoff for the NCAA Northeast Regional contest between Miami University and Air Force isn’t far off.
A slow-arriving crowd right now, maybe a couple thousand. Word is they’re hoping to get 9,000 fans today and Sunday. The arena will surely be more filled for the second game between Boston College and Minnesota. If BC isn’t in Sunday’s title game, I’m not sure how many fans they’ll get for the Gophers vs. Miami or Air Force. First things first …
Here’s some by-the-numbers facts on the Miami game:
Miami 32-7-1 Air Force 21-11-6
Falcons All-America forward Eric Ehn will play today. The senior’s been out since January because of a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his ankle.
The RedHawks are 1-5 in NCAA play. The Falcons are 0-1.
Air Force is 8-0-1 over its last nine games.
The starting goalies are Jeff Zatkoff (26-7-1, 1.68 goals-allowed average, .934 save percentage) and Andrew Volkening (21-10-6, 2.08, .912) for Air Force
OK, folks, the puck is ready to drop. I’ll be back with updates as we move along …
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Miami’s Mercier at home on the ice
By Pete Conrad
Staff Writer
OXFORD — With so much travel, so many games and so much cost involved, most hockey players at the developmental stage must grapple with some disruption in their home lives.
But at age 14, Justin Mercier began a complicated journey of constant change, a four-year journey which brought loneliness and ultimately an inner strength that has helped him become one of the top college hockey players in America.
Mercier, the second-leading scorer for a Miami University hockey team preparing to play in its third straight NCAA tournament Saturday, March 29, was born and raised in Erie, Pa. He was reared by a loving family, but he was serious about hockey. If he wanted to play at an advanced level, he would have to move to another town, another team, another school, even another family — a “host family,” whose parents normally have a son who is on the team and are willing to take in a teammate from out of town.
Mercier went through this at age 14. And again at age 15, and 16 and 17. “I had gone to five high schools in four years and played for four different teams,” the junior forward said.
“Each year the level of hockey was a step up,” he explained. “That was one of the reasons I kept moving. It was another opportunity for me to get to that next level.”
But the personal cost to Mercier was high.
“My freshman and sophomore years, I was very homesick,” he said. “You’re used to being able to say good night to your parents every night. I called home every day. I wanted to get that one taste of home. “Hockey was my saving grace,” he added. “I always used hockey as the glue that held me together.”
It was the one constant in Mercier’s life.
“Within that glass, everything’s the same,” Mercier said. “The blue line is always going to be where the blue line is, the net is always going to be where the net is.
“It was almost my home away from home, and that made me a better hockey player because I love being out there so much,” he said. “I always tried to make myself better. I knew as soon as I got off the ice, I’d have to go back to a home I was unfamiliar with, to the school I wasn’t sure about.”
He didn’t feel comfortable with his first host family. There was nothing wrong with the family, he was quick to point out; it was just so different from his own.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” he said. “The mom made dinner only once a week. At 14 years old, I was expected to make my own dinner. The family didn’t interact much. That’s just how they did things. But I’m from a very close family.
“The father (of the host family) saw I was kind of out of my element and offered to find a new host family,” Mercier said.
The name of the new host family was Steffes. If that sounds familiar, it should. The Steffes’ son, Gary, has six goals and 10 assists for the RedHawks this season.
“Mrs. Steffes made dinner every night,” Mercier pointed out. “Gary and I could hang out, we’d go out and shoot basketball together. I didn’t have that with the other family. That made it enjoyable, and it helped out with my homesickness.”
Then, a little irony.
“For the next three years, Gary and I never really saw each other,” Mercier said. “I committed to Miami, and later I learned that Gary committed here. That was kinda neat. I get along with everyone on the team, but Gary and I definitely have a different relationship that’s brotherly love.”
Mercier said he has benefitted from the constant motion of his high school years.
“I think moving away at such a young age, it made me grow and mature in ways that never would have happened had I not moved away from home,” he said. “It taught me time management and money management. It taught me manners, how to carry yourself in public.”
Still, Mercier can’t get enough of mom (Karen) and dad (Doug). He said he still talks with his parents practically every night.
“My parents are very happy for the team and for me,” he said. “It’s not often that you can accomplish a season like this. How many kids can say they’ve played for the No. 1-ranked team in the nation? My parents are happy seeing me happy.”
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Updates coming from Worcester, Mass.
Miami hockey fans:
Stay tuned for updates from reporter Rick Cassano beginning Friday, March 28, from the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass.
All four teams — Miami, Air Force, Minnesota and Boston College — have practice sessions and press conferences scheduled on Friday at the DCU Center.
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Check for updates
Check back later for updates from the NCAA hockey tournament.
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RedHawks’ Jones plays with pain, dishes some out
By Rick Cassano Staff Writer
Thursday, March 27, 2008
OXFORD — Ryan Jones is an iron man. Or, as he prefers to view himself, he’s an iron man with good trainers.
Whatever your opinion, there is no disputing that Jones, a Miami University senior forward, is one of the toughest, most physical players in college hockey. And he’s never missed a RedHawk game.
“The main thing is just wanting to be out there all the time,” Jones said. “I’ve had some nagging injuries, but I just kept playing through them. Most of the credit should go to the trainers. They do a great job of making me one piece again.”
There have been times when he was hurt badly enough that he probably shouldn’t have played.
Jones can recall a rib fracture at some point in the last two years and a hip pointer last season. And those were just the most painful injuries. Physical hockey can be an invitation to agony.
“Being physical is just part of my game,” Jones said. “I know I’m not going to be able to score goals every night, but every night I will be able to be that physical presence.
“Other teams, when you’re constantly hitting them, you’re wearing them down,” he added. “Just having them be aware that there’s a physical presence out on the ice has the ability to change the game, even when you’re not scoring. And I take pride in the fact that I like to hit clean.”
He scores a lot. His 30 goals lead the nation this season. But it’s his hit-or-be-hit mentality that often causes fans to roar.
RedHawks coach Enrico Blasi said Jones, a Hobey Baker Award Top 10 finalist, is clearly a different kind of forward.
“He goes into areas that guys don’t normally like to go into,” Blasi said. “Not only does he go in there, but he pitches a tent and stays for a while. He takes a lot of abuse out there. His will to play is unbelievable.”
Jones pointed to a pair of players he’s used as role models — his cousin, John Tonelli, who played for five NHL teams, and former MU All-American Andy Greene.
“People have called me kind of a throwback player,” Jones said. “I kind of play a power forward style that’s not really seen much anymore. Basically that’s just from watching my cousin play in the NHL and seeing what got him to where he was. He was a guy that was always in the corner, always playing physical, always out in front of the net.”
And what if Jones does suffer a serious injury as his Miami career winds down in the NCAA tournament? Blasi said it might take more than a simple statement to keep him on the bench.
“Unless he has two broken legs, he’s playing,” Blasi said. “We’d probably have to hide his equipment, too. Otherwise, he’d still find a way to get out on the ice.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.
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(This report comes from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.)
With 7:30 remaining, Louisville leads Miami 64-49 with three straight 3-point baskets by Brandi Radde in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
The RedHawks had been out-hustling the Cardinals, scrambling for loose balls and rebounds and getting their first, but failing to convert on shots and several opportunities to make it a two-possession game.
The RedHawks closed to within eight points, 49-41, with 15:28 left, and to within nine points, 55-46 and 58-49, all three times following 3-point baskets by Amanda Jackson.
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Miami still within striking distance in second half
(This report comes from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.)
Louisville’s lead has been cut to 11 points, 49-38, with 15:46 remaining in the second half of its game with the Miami RedHawks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The RedHawks have trailed by as many as 15, but Stephanie Ford has come on strong, scoring eight points over the last five minutes.
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RedHawks getting shots, but not the baskets
(This report comes from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.)
The Miami women’s basketball team trails Louisville at halftime 41-28 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Although the RedHawks have taken eight more shots than the Cardinals, Louisville has connected on seven more baskets.
In other words, Louisville is hot (17-of-26 from the field for 65.4 percent) and Miami is not (10-of-34 from the field for 29.4 percent).
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RedHawk women trying to stay close
(This report comes from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.)
The Miami women’s basketball team is hanging on grimly in its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, trailing at halftime 41-28 against the Louisville Cardinals, who have a couple times seemed to be on the verge of blowing the game wide open.
Miami senior Amanda Jackson struggled in the first half until she hit her first basket, a short bank shot, with 3:46 remaining in the period. She follwed with a 3-point basket a half-minute later, but Miami’s defense has yet to find a way to stop Louisville’s Angel McCoughtry, who leads all players with 14 points.
Jenna Schone leads Miami with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, which curbed some of Louisville’s early momentum.
The RedHawks are holding their own on the boards, leading in rebounds 18-18.
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Louisville leads Miami by eight
(This report comes from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yasrd in Bridgeport, Conn.)
The Louisville Cardinals lead the Miami RedHawks 26-18 with 7:37 left in the first half of their first-round NCAA Tournament game.
Jenna Schone has hit a pair of 3-point baskets by the RedHawks, who trailed by as many as 13 points before a 7-0 run got them closer. Chauntise Wright, a hefty, 6-foot-3 center once she has the ball under the basket, has scored three of Louisville’s last four baskets.
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Update from Miami women’s NCAA debut
(This is a report from Pete Conrad at Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn.)
A spurt of seven points in less than 60 seconds by fourth-seeded Louisville, which forced Miami into two quick turnovers, has enabled the Cardinals to take a 13-5 lead with 14:30 left in the first half over the RedHawks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The 13th-seeded RedHawks, making their first-ever NCAA appearance, have scored their five points on two baskets, including a 3-pointer, by Jenna Schone.
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CCHA Finals: Michigan 2, Miami 1
It’s over. Miami loses 2-1 to Michigan in the CCHA tournament championship game at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Miami’s Alec Martinez scores on a laser shot with 38.6 seconds remaining off a pass from Mitch Ganzak, but that’s all for the RedHawks.
UM goalie Billy Sauer was a force between the pipes. An enthusiastic, pro-Michigan crowd of 17,213 watches the action.
The Wolverines (31-5-4) will be the top overall seeds in the NCAA tournament and the RedHawks (32-7-1) will be second. So perhaps these two teams will see each other again at the Frozen Four in Denver.
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CCHA Finals: Miami vs. Michigan
Miami’s hopes of its first Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament title are just about gone.
Michigan’s Brandon Naurato scores with 10:00 remaining to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead. Naurato scores off a pass from Tim Miller and is so close to the goal that he ends up in the net after the goal.
2:28 remaining in the game
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CCHA Finals: Miami vs. Michigan
Ongoing wireless problems here at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, but it appears we have a technical break, at least for a while.
18:29 remaining in the third period, Michigan still leads 1-0
The RedHawks getting plenty of scoring opportunities. They have a 21-12 lead in shots, but Wolverines goalie Billy Sauer has been excellent.
Hope to be back with more …
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CCHA Finals: Miami vs. Michigan
Sorry for the delay in live blogging, lots of technical difficulties at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
With 12:22 remaining in the second period, Michigan has just gone ahead 1-0. Pretty centering pass from Matt Rust found Aaron Palushaj in front of the goal, and Palushaj slapped the puck past Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff.
Timeout on the ice with 11:37 left in the period …
Overall, lots of fast, hard-hitting hockey. Very physical game. The RedHawks outshot the Wolverines 8-4 in the opening period.
Here are some pregame notes that were thwarted by the wireless problems …
Third-ranked Miami is 32-6-1 Top-ranked Michigan is 30-5-4
Michigan beat (4-2) and tied (5-5) the RedHawks last month at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford
This is the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Wolverines have played in the CCHA tournament title game. They won in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Michigan is 23-0-1 this season when scoring at least four goals. The only blemish was the 5-5 tie against Miami.
The Wolverines are led by senior forward Kevin Porter, the CCHA Player of the Year. He’s got 28 goals and 28 assists this season. MU senior forward Ryan Jones was also a finalist for that award.
Michigan leads this series 65-18-3
Entering this weekend’s play, the RedHawks were ranked second nationally in penalty killing (.892).
Very big crowd on hand, clearly a partisan gathering for Michigan.
Wolverines wearing their bright maize jerseys, the RedHawks are wearing red.
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Miami’s NCAA Possibilities
The Miami-Michigan game for the CCHA tournament championship will start at 7:30 p.m. here at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. In the meantime, let’s talk about MU’s NCAA tournament possibilities.
Here’s what we’re pretty sure we know …
The winner of tonight’s game will be the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The loser will be the No. 2 overall seed. North Dakota appears to be locked in at No. 3 and New Hampshire at No. 4. So each of those schools will be a top seed in one of the regionals (Madison, Wis.; Albany, N.Y.; Worcester, Mass.; and Colorado Springs, Colo.).
Where each team will go is the issue. The latest opinion from the hockey pundits seems to have the No. 1 seed going to Madison and No. 2 going to Albany, with North Dakota going to Colorado and New Hampshire going to Worcester. There is a complicated ranking system used for all of this, but there are intangibles as well that don’t necessarily go along with the rankings, such as host schools playing at their own sites. That’s why there is a committee to sort all this out as opposed to simply following rankings. Therefore, nobody will be 100 percent sure about who’s going where until the pairings are announced at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
But Miami fans can know this: The RedHawks will be the No. 1 or 2 overall seed in the NCAA. Nothing can change that at this point. Now can they win their first-ever CCHA tournament title? We’ll know soon.
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It’s Miami Vs. Michigan
The showdown everybody wanted to see will happen Saturday night here at The Joe. Miami, a 2-1 overtime winner over Notre Dame, and Michigan, which rallied for a 6-4 victory over Northern Michigan, will square off for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament championship.
I’ll have more details Saturday evening before the game, then provide plenty of live blogging. But it appears a pretty safe bet that both teams, regardless of Saturday’s outcome, will be No. 1 seeds in next week’s NCAA tournament.
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Postgame At The Joe
Miami’s stunning 2-1 win over Notre Dame is being followed by another possible stunner. Late in the second period, Northern Michigan is beating top-ranked Michigan 3-2.
Stats from the RedHawks’ win …
Shots: Miami 30-21 Penalties: Notre Dame seven for 14 minutes; Miami six for 12 minutes Saves: ND’s Jordan Pearce 28, Miami’s Jeff Zatkoff 20
Mitch Ganzak’s tying goal with 3.4 seconds left in the third period was his 100th career point. He’s just the fifth defenseman in Miami history to reach the 100-point plateau.
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RedHawks Win! RedHawks Win!
Alec Martinez rips a shot past Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce 6:06 into overtime, giving Miami a 2-1 victory in the CCHA tournament semifinals.
Hard to believe right now. The RedHawks tied the game on Mitch Ganzak’s goal with 3.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
A pile of Miami players on the ice celebrating, a great sight for RedHawk fans.
I’ll have some stats later. But Miami is on to the tournament championship game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against either top-ranked Michigan or Northern Michigan.
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Ganzak Ties The Game
As expected, a video review has prompted a ruling change on Miami’s tying goal. Mitch Ganzak does indeed get the goal as the puck did not touch Ryan Jones as it headed into the net. Assists went to Carter Camper and Jarod Palmer.
Sudden-death OT will start momentarily. A few numbers through three periods …
Shots: Miami 27-21 Penalties: Notre Dame 6 for 12 minutes, Miami five for 10 minutes Saves: ND’s Jordan Pearce 26, Miami’s Jeff Zatkoff 20
Here we go with OT …
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Unbelievable … It’s Tied
Do you believe in miracles … the RedHawks say yes.
Miami scores with 3.4 seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime. Mitch Ganzak ripped a left-handed shot toward the goal, and the puck apparently nicked teammate Ryan Jones before flying past ND goalie Jordan Pearce. In the replay, the puck didn’t appear to touch Jones, I think it will be reviewed to see who gets credit for the goal, but no matter. The RedHawks had pulled goalie Jeff Zatkoff for the final surge.
it’s 1-1 after three periods, folks. Sudden-death overtime will be here
Unbelievable.
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Third period at The Joe
41.2 seconds left in the third period, timeout on the ice
Miami will make one last effort to try to tie the game.
Notre Dame 1, Miami 0
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The Goal That Counts
No video replay needed for this one. Evan Rankin’s backhanded shot breaks the scoreless drought with 4:30 remaining in the third period, giving Notre Dame a 1-0 lead over Miami. The puck bounced off the glove of MU goalie Jeff Zatkoff.
2:58 left at the moment
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Irish Goal … But No
If you’re a Miami fan, you’re praising video replay right now. Notre Dame’s Mark Van Guilder appeared to score a goal on a slap shot past Jeff Zatkoff with 6:11 remaining in the third period, but the goal was reviewed and overturned because the puck didn’t completely cross the line.
Looking at the replays upstairs on press row, it’s an extremely close call, but appears to be the right one.
Timeout on the ice, 4:46 remaining in the third period.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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Third period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 9:40 remaining in the third period. Each team has two penalties apiece in this period, but scoring … well, it’s not happening.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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Third period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 13:54 remaining in the third period. It’s still a 0-0 game. Who’s going to make the first mistake?
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Second-period statistics
It’s a 0-0 game through two periods at Joe Louis Arena. Here are some numbers:
Shots: Miami 19-11, Nathan Davis leads the RedHawks with five shots, defenseman Alec Martinez has three Penalties: Miami 2 (four minutes); Notre Dame 4 (eight minutes) Saves: Miami’s Jeff Zatkoff 11, ND’s Jordan Pearce 19
The RedHawks have had the better of play through two periods, but Pearce has been a beast. A hot goaltender makes all the difference in the world. Zatkoff has been very strong as well.
Perhaps overtime on the horizon???
Third period just about to begin.
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Second period is over
The second period has come to an end at Joe Louis Arena, and it’s still 0-0 between Miami and Notre Dame.
Miami was on the power play in the final seconds of the period, but Irish goalie Jordan Pearce blocked a close shot by the RedHawks’ Nathan Davis.
Second-period statistics upcoming.
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Second period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 5:25 left in the second period. Defense, defense, defense. Still no score.
Miami defenseman Alec Martinez, winner of the CCHA’s Best Defensive Defenseman Award last night at the Fox Theatre, is being shown on the video board, drawing applause from the RedHawk fans.
Hard to tell if it’s a big crowd or not because Joe Louis Arena has a ton of seats. The crowd will surely swell for Game 2, Michigan vs. Northern Michigan.
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Second period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 12:12 left in the second period. Still waiting for the first goal.
It may be a broken record, but both goalies are playing excellent hockey. Miami’s Jeff Zatkoff made a sliding save. Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce continues to be a wall as Miami has a decided advantage in shots.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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First-period statistics
A scoreless first period is over at The Joe.
Miami has outshot Notre Dame 11-3, but Irish goalie Jordan Pearce has been very strong. Both teams have a pair of two-minute penalties.
The RedHawks have shots on goal by eight different players. Second period just beginning.
On a side note, took a quick peek outside between periods. The predicted heavy snow is just starting. Pretty sure a White Easter isn’t a great thing.
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First period is over
No score at Joe Louis Arena at the end of the first period. Both goalies, Jeff Zatkoff for Miami and Jordan Pearce for Notre Dame, look to be on top of their games. I’ll provide some first-period stats as soon as they’re available.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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First period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 4:20 left in the first period. Still no score.
Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce comes up several times with Miami on the power play. Two two-minute penalties apiece for the teams. RedHawks goalie Jeff Zatkoff had an outstanding save with 9:30 showing while the Irish were on the power play.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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First period at The Joe
Timeout on the ice, 11:52 left in the first period. No score at this point.
Each team has killed off a two-minute penalty in the earlygoing. Miami had several close chances against Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce while on the power play, but couldn’t score. Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff just came up with a strong save on a shot off the stick of Calle Ridderwall.
Miami 0, Notre Dame 0
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Getting ready at The Joe
It’s bearing down on game time here at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Miami faces Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament semifinals, and perhaps it’s better to be in here than outside. A winter storm warning just went into effect in metro Detroit, with 6-10 inches of snow expected by Saturday morning. Perhaps we’ll be able to get Frosty the Snowman to blog