DaytonDailyNews.com

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Top-ranked Miami knocked off No. 3 Michigan State, the defending national champions, 4-2 in the first game of a two-game series Thursday night at Munn Ice Arena.

Junior forward Justin Mercier scored a pair of goals to pace the RedHawks, who improved to 10-1-0 overall and 8-1-0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. MSU fell to 8-2-0, 4-1-0.

Nathan Davis and Brian Kaufman added goals and Jeff Zatkoff stopped 22 of 24 shots in net for Miami, which has allowed two goals or less in every game this season.

The two teams meet again tonight at 7:05.