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NCAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT MIAMI 3, AIR FORCE 2 (ot)
Desperation fuels 'Hawks
Justin Mercier's overtime goal pits Miami against Boston College in regional final.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
WORCESTER, Mass. — There was a sense of desperation as Justin Mercier skated toward the goal with Miami University's hockey season on the line.
Fortunately for the top-seeded RedHawks, Mercier was the right man at the right time Saturday, March 29.
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The junior forward scored an unassisted goal 15:21 into overtime against the Air Force Academy, lifting Miami to a dramatic 3-2 victory in an NCAA Northeast Regional opener at the DCU Center.
"I think any shift you step out there in overtime, it's desperation," Mercier said. "This is playoff hockey. I think we tried to use that desperation mentality throughout the whole game."
The RedHawks grabbed a 1-0 lead in the opening 19 seconds on a goal by Tommy Wingels, then rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the third period when Carter Camper scored with 6:16 left.
The victory pushed Miami (33-7-1) into the regional title game against Boston College, a 5-2 winner over Minnesota in Saturday's second contest.
The RedHawks and Eagles will square off at 4:30 p.m. today, with the victor advancing to the Frozen Four in Denver. Boston College ended Miami's season in the last two NCAA tournaments by a combined 9-0 score.
"This time of the year, this is the way it goes," MU coach Enrico
Blasi said. "Air Force is a damn good hockey team. I know people are surprised, 'Oh it's overtime,' but that shouldn't be surprising. You win a championship in a league with 10 teams, you're doing something right.
"(Air Force) gave it everything they had — they could have easily won the game," he continued. "I thought we played well. We sustained pressure. We made plays. We had good goaltending. We had to juggle lines. I was proud of the way our team played."
Jeff Zatkoff had 23 saves in goal for the RedHawks, who forged a 33-25 edge in shots. Falcons goalie Andrew Volkening was outstanding with 30 saves, and several were spectacular.
Miami needed one big play to secure the second NCAA triumph in school history, and Mercier provided it. Volkening hugged the near post as Mercier came his way, and the Erie, Pa., native used a left-handed wrist shot to find the open part of the net.
"I knew I could take advantage of their 'D' if I got them pivoting, turning," Mercier said. "I think it was almost like a fake shot that got 'em to freeze up for a second. I took the puck around them and made a play on net."
Camper and Ryan Jones contributed assists on Wingels' early goal. Alec Martinez and Pat Cannone assisted Camper's tally.
Derrick Burnett and Josh Print scored the goals for fourth-seeded Air Force (21-12-6).
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.
