RedHawks edge Notre Dame in a slugfest

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 12:45 AM Saturday, December 5, 2009

OXFORD — These weren’t hockey periods in which Miami University and Notre Dame went after each other. They were rounds in a ring made of ice. Only the three ropes were missing.

In a contest that averaged about a bruise per minute, the top-ranked RedHawks held off No. 14/15 Notre Dame 1-0 on Friday, Dec. 4, at Steve Cady Arena.

Freshman defenseman Joe Hartman scored the only goal, short-handed, and sophomore Cody Reichard recorded his second shutout of the season as Miami improved to 10-2-5, 5-2-4-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

This contest was not for the faint-hearted.

A total of 26 penalties were called, including a game misconduct and a 10-minute misconduct on the RedHawks. Even Reichard got into the act, earning a 2-minute penalty for roughing.

“It was two good teams going at it,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said, “so you knew it was going to be physical. Guys were playing hard on both teams.”

“It was a frantic game,” said Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson, whose team slipped to 7-6-4, 4-3-4-2 in the CCHA. “It was probably the most up-tempo game we’ve played since Boston College (a 3-2 Irish loss on Oct. 23).”

Hartman’s goal, assisted by junior Tommy Wingels, came 18:42 into the opening period and was the first first-period goal scored at home this season.

“That was huge,” Blasi said. “You have to get the crowd into it ... That was a big momentum boost for us.”

The first period ended with eight Miami and Notre Dame players in close contact along the boards, and it wasn’t for a group hug.

After consulting for a couple minutes, the officials slapped Wingels with a 5-minute penalty and a game misconduct for hitting from behind.

The teams went at it again 12:23 into the second period behind the Notre Dame net. Miami’s Matt Tomassoni got a 10-minute misconduct.

The Irish, however, could not convert on their many power plays, finishing the night 0-for-9.

“I don’t think our power play ever got adjusted to the pressure they were putting on us,” Jackson said. “That was probably the difference in the game.”

“We have a good system and buy into it,” Reichard said of Miami’s penalty kill.

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