Feb. 20, 2009
Final Stats
Photo Gallery
OXFORD, Ohio -- No. 4/5 Miami (18-9-4) had its five-game winning streak snapped on Friday night as Northern Michigan topped the RedHawks, 2-1, in Steve Cady Arena.
Justin Florek scored at 15:46 of the first period and gave the Wildcats the early lead. Mark Olver and Phil Fox earned the assists. Northern Michigan extended its lead in the second period with an even-strength goal by Jared Brown at the 9:00 minute mark. Billy Smith and Erik Gustafsson were credited with the helpers.
Miami tried to rally with a third-period goal by Justin Vaive (Toronto, Ont.) at 12:44 with Pat Cannone (Bayport, Mich.) and Bill Loupee (Bloomfield, Mich.) earning the assists.
The Red and White pulled Cody Reichard (Celina, Ohio) with 1:07 left in the game and earned several shot attempts, but the RedHawks were unable to capitalize.
The RedHawks and the Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow night in Steve Cady Arena at 5:05 p.m. The game will be televised on the Ohio News Network (ONN).
Miami RedHawk Hockey
Game Notes
Northern Michigan at #4/5 Miami
Feb. 20, 2009 • Steve Cady Arena • Oxford, Ohio
Miami's 2-1 loss to Northern Michigan snapped a five-game winning streak, dating back to a 2-2 tie at Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 23. The RedHawks were also previously unbeaten in the seven games since a 4-1 loss to Michigan State on Jan. 16
Northern Michigan improved to 9-12-4-3 on the season, maintaining a four-point lead in the race for eighth place, and a home date in the first round, in the CCHA. Miami fell to 16-6-3-1 on the season, but is still alive in the regular-season title chase.
Miami fell behind 1-0 in the first period when the Wildcat Justin Florek found the net at 15:46. It marked the 13th time this season that the RedHawks have allowed the first goal of the game. They are 2-9-2 in such contests.
The Wildcats increased the lead to 2-0 with a second period goal by Jared Brown. The two-goal deficit marked the biggest since the 4-1 loss to Michigan State.
Justin Vaive broke the RedHawks' drought with his fifth goal of the season at 12:44 of the third period. The scored was the first in 12 games for Vaive, who last found the net on Jan. 2 against Clarkson.
Cody Reichard took the loss for Miami to fall to 6-6-2 on the season. He has won just once in his last five starts.
The game was played virtually penalty free as only there were only six penalties for 12 minutes. Miami was 0-for-3 (six shots), while Northern Michigan did not attempt a shot in its only attempt with a man-advantage. The RedHawks' previous low for penalties in a game was two last Friday night at Lake Superior State.
Miami outshot Northern Michigan 44-20 in the contest, recording its third-highest shot total of the season. The RedHawks had 60 shots vs. Michigan State on Jan. 17 and 58 vs. Army on Jan. 3
First Star: Brian Stewart (NMU); Second Star: Jared Brown (NMU); Third Star: Justin Vaive (MIA)
