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Healthy again, Davis delivers big goal
Sunday, February 10, 2008
OXFORD — The Miami University hockey team got a big boost for the stretch run of the season with the return of senior Nathan Davis.
Davis returned to the lineup against Michigan this weekend after missing two months because of a back injury. He missed time earlier this season with a shoulder injury and has played in only 10 of the RedHawks' 30 games.
Extras
Though admittedly not at the top of his game, Davis, an All-American as a junior who led Miami with 50 points, had an assist in Friday night's loss and the game-tying goal in Saturday night's 5-all tie.
"The timing is the big thing," Davis said. "A lot of it is small stuff like seeing the game. Everybody plays the game differently and uses their assets a little differently. One of my biggest strengths is my feet and getting going in the open ice. For a guy like me, I have to see the play a half-step earlier than everyone else. And it takes a little time to get that back."
Said Miami coach Enrico Blasi, "Once he gets in game situations, he's just gonna keep getting better and better. His timing is not where it needs to be, but today, I thought he worked harder tonight than (Friday). It'll just take time. That's why we put him in this weekend — so he had enough games in before playoffs so he could feel good about his game."
Davis centered a line with left wing Ryan Jones and right wing Brian Kaufman.
"Being able to jump in and play with Ryan and Brian is great," Davis said. "They haven't missed a beat all year. Those guys covered up for me. I was a half-step slow all weekend."
No fun for goalies
Saturday's up-and-down and back-and-forth affair produced 10 goals and 77 shots on goal — 42 for Michigan and 35 for Miami. Goaltenders Jeff Zatkoff (37 saves) and Michigan's Billy Sauer (30 saves) were under the gun all night.
"It was like two or three games wrapped into one," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It certainly was exciting for the fans. I'm not so sure the goalies were that excited about it, though."
Home for the playoffs
With Saturday's tie and Bowling Green's loss to Alaska, Miami clinched a first-round bye and a second-round home game for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs. The top four teams host first-round winners in the second round. The CCHA semifinals and finals are set for March 21-22 in Detroit.
