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Special kids get chance to play
Benefit held for crash victim
College hockey Miami 2, Michigan 1
RedHawks earn sixth straight victory over ranked foe
Wingels, Camper score as inexperienced team improves to 8-3-3.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
OXFORD — Miami University hockey coach Enrico Blasi tried to downplay the significance of what his team accomplished Saturday, Nov. 22, with its 2-1 victory over the ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines.
"We're trying to build a culture (of day-by-day improvement), not a dynasty," said Blasi, whose squad over the last 30 days has swept two-game series against Notre Dame, Michigan State and now Michigan.
This might not be a dynasty, but the seventh-ranked RedHawks do seem to be having a pretty good season for a relatively inexperienced team, one that lost several of the best players in program history to the professional ranks.
The RedHawks improved to 8-3-3 overall, 8-2-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with their fourth straight victory, their sixth straight over a ranked opponent, and they have opened up a nine-point lead in the league standings over the Wolverines.
"It feels awesome," said Miami freshman goalie Connor Knapp, who had only heard about the Miami- Michigan rivalry. "The team played great, and it was just awesome to get the win."
Knapp stopped 25 shots; he and fellow freshman goalie Cody Reichard have limited Michigan and Michigan State to a total of three goals in the last four games.
Michigan lost possession of the puck a number of times. Miami took advantage in the form of a Carter Camper goal to give Miami a 1-0 lead 18:36 into the first period and a Tommy Wingels goal to make it 2-0 early in the second period.
"You've got to execute when the other team turns the ball over, and tonight we did it twice," Blasi noted.
It was a good night for the line of senior left wing Justin Mercier, sophomore center Camper and sophomore right wing Wingels. Mercier assisted both goals, and Wingels and Camper assisted each other's goal.
Michigan made it close with a goal from Chris Summers 14:43 into the second period.
"We had our moments and made it interesting, but we couldn't capitalize on our chances tonight," said Michigan coach Red Berenson, whose team fell to 8-6-0, 5-5-0 in the CCHA.
"We played with more intensity and better flow," he added, comparing Saturday's contest with his team's 2-0 loss on Friday. "Our guys wanted to bounce back and they gave it everything they had ... Miami's a good team. Not many teams are going to come in here and beat them."
