Nov. 20, 2009

Final Stats

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Miami's special teams came up big Friday night, scoring two shorthanded goals and another on the power play, to lead the RedHawks to a 3-0 victory over Western Michigan at Lawson Ice Arena. Miami also killed off a five-minute major in front of Cody Reichard, who stopped all 15 shots for his third career shutout.

Andy Miele scored twice and Tommy Wingels added another for Miami, who extended its unbeaten streak to eight games.

Miami (9-1-3, 6-1-2-0 CCHA) jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Miele at 10:02 of the first period. Jarod Palmer kept the puck alive on the left side and centered it to Curtis McKenzie, who tapped it to Miele in front. The goal came with just one second remaining on the man-advantage.

The RedHawks went up 2-0 midway through the second on their second shorthanded goal of the season. Wingels stole the puck at the redline, broke free of a defenseman and skated toward goal. He got a shot off -- only to see it saved by Bronco netminder Jerry Kuhn -- but the rebound bounced off bodies and rolled into the net at the 12:19 mark.

Miele and Palmer pressured deep on another penalty kill for the second shorthanded goal of the night. Miele made a steal on the left boards and skated free to the middle, where he flicked a back-hander into the top of the net for a 3-0 lead. The last time Miami scored a pair of shorthanded goals in a game was Dec. 15, 2007 at Rensselaer.

"We knew going in that 5-on-5 was going to be pretty even, so special teams would be a key," Head Coach Rico Blasi said. "Our PK did a great job, not only killing penalties, but scoring two goals, and we got a power play goal in the first to get us started.

Miami held a 24-15 advantage in shots and converted one of five power plays, while Western Michigan was unsuccessful on all seven tries with a man-advantage.

With the win, Miami moved back into a first-place tie with Michigan State atop the CCHA standings, while Western Michigan (5-5-1, 1-5-1-1) falls into the basement. The two teams conclude the series tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. at Lawson Arena.