Miami junior hitting stride for hockey team

Pat Cannone is returning to form he showed earlier.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 7:37 AM Friday, February 26, 2010

OXFORD — Miami University junior Pat Cannone is showing signs that opposing defenses might not like.

“A couple bounces haven’t gone my way, but that only makes you work harder, to try to get those bounces later on,” said Cannone, who has accounted for five points in his last five games.

He hadn’t been in a slump, exactly. It’s just that the flash flood of points that marked his first two seasons for the RedHawks hockey team — when he totaled 65 points, including a whopping 48 assists — has been more like a gently murmuring brook during his junior year.

“My point production isn’t where I want it to be,” Cannone said, “but I try to do the little things when that’s not working, when the points aren’t there. Like winning important face-offs, helping out in the d-zone, trying to help our defense out down low. It’s a big help when the center gets down there to out-number the (opposing) offense.

“Coming down the stretch here,” he said, “I want to have a real strong playoffs and regional run.”

Through his first 29 games, Cannone had scored only 18 points. He finally broke out in Miami’s 10-2 victory at Bowling Green on Feb. 13, scoring a goal and adding two assists.

“A multiple-point game always helps your confidence and gives you momentum going into the next weekend,” said Cannone.

He followed up his three-point game against Bowling Green by scoring a goal in Miami’s 6-2 win over Nebraska-Omaha the following Friday.

“I just try to create scoring chances and set up other teammates,” Cannone said. “I can see the ice fairly well. I try to create some offense down low and capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.

“Ever since I was little I guess you could say I always had a knack for the net,” he said. “It’s been something that’s stuck with me and hopefully continues to stick with me.”

Cannone, a native of Bayport, N.Y., which is located on Long Island, said he wasn’t too surprised that Miami slipped to No. 2 in the national polls, replaced at the top by Denver, after the RedHawks’ 4-2 loss to Nebraska-Omaha last Saturday.

“Denver’s been on our heels for the majority of the season and they’ve been playing well lately,” Cannone noted, “and one slip-up and things can change like that.”