Oct. 30, 2009

Final Stats

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Miami scored four goals in the second period, including two on the power play, then hung on for a 4-3 victory over Northern Michigan Friday night at the Berry Events Center. Justin Vaive earned his first career multiple-goal game, scoring twice in the a span of 41 seconds, while Joe Hartman and Alden Hirschfeld also found the net for the RedHawks (5-1-1, 2-1-0-0).

Vaive broke a scoreless tie 3:06 into the second period when he redirected a Chris Wideman blast from the blue line. The power-play goal started with Pat Cannone feeding Wideman from the right circle. After the faceoff, Northern Michigan dumped the puck in the Miami zone, but Andy Miele quickly gained possession in neutral ice and hit a streaking Vaive, who rattled the pipes for his second goal at the 3:47 mark.

A pair of defensemen put the RedHawks up 3-0 as Miami capitalized on a five-minute power play. During a skirmish in front of the Wildcat net, Andrew Cherniwchan ripped Curtis McKenzie's helmet off, earning the penalty and a game misconduct. Two minutes and 33 seconds into the power play, Hartman took a pass from Cameron Schilling at the right circle and one-timed it past Brian Stewart.

The onslaught continued with just 1:45 left in the second period. Hirschfeld stole the puck just inside the Miami blue line and raced by himself to the Wildcat net, beating Stewart glove-side. The outburst marked the third time this season that the RedHawks had scored four goals in a period.

"After an even first period, we took advantage of some chances, in the second," Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. "But they came out strong and made a game of it. We just got one more bounce tonight."

Northern Michigan (1-3-1, 0-1-0-0) used the momentum of a goaltender change to claw back into the contest, breaking the shutout just 41 seconds into the period when Kyle Follmer converted even strength. Mark Olver tallied two straight goals to bring the Wildcats back to within 4-3, the first on a power play at 7:12, then again with 5:46 remaining.

But the RedHawks defense regrouped to earn three points and remain tied atop the CCHA standings. Cody Reichard picked up the win in net, stopping 26 shots overall.

Neither team could manage a goal in the first period, although both had plenty of chances. Miami outshot Northern Michigan 33-29 for the game, including double-figure efforts of 13 in the first period and a season-high-tying 17 in the second period. The Wildcats held a 12-4 advantage in the final 20 minutes.

The series concludes Saturday night with a 7:35 contest at the Berry Events Center.

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