Dec. 30, 2010

Box Score

ESTERO, Fla. - Despite closing a three-goal third-period deficit to one with still over 14 minutes to play in regulation, the No. 6 Miami hockey team was unable to find the equalizer and fell to St. Cloud State, 4-3, in the Florida College Classic Championship game Thursday night at Germain Arena. With the win, the Huskies (7-11-2, 3-8-1 WCHA) exacted some revenge on the RedHawks (11-6-3, 8-4-2 CCHA), who had won and tied at SCSU earlier this year.

Miami controlled the puck for much of the game, taking 31 shots to St. Cloud's 11, but the Huskies capitalized on their opportunities, scoring twice on the power play (in seven chances) and also registered a short-handed goal. SCSU's Mike Lee made 28 saves to earn the win while Miami junior goalie Connor Knapp finished with just seven stops. The `Hawks were also 0-for-4 with a man advantage.

The RedHawks got on the board first with a goal by junior defenseman Cameron Schilling. Senior forward Carter Camper and sophomore Reilly Smith earned the assists. Camper sent a pass across to Schilling where he fired a laser from the blue line through traffic and past Lee for the 1-0 lead at 15:41 of the first period.

Miami's lead was short-lived however as the Huskies scored the equalizer just 24 seconds later when Nic Dowd found Oliver Lauridsen for a one-timer.

SCSU took the lead at 8:38 of the second period on a shorthanded goal by Garrett Roe on an odd-man break in transition to go up 2-1. The Huskies added another goal at 14:38 of the second period on the power play to take a 3-1 lead.

St. Cloud added the eventual game winner just 13 ticks into the third period when Dowd, who totaled three points on the night, scored on another power play to give St. Cloud State a 4-1 lead.

The RedHawks answered right back, scoring their second goal at 1:07 into the final frame to cut the St. Cloud lead to 4-2. Senior forward Justin Vaive brought the puck into the offensive zone and drove toward the net. He lost control just outside the crease and players from both teams piled up in front of the net. Senior Pat Cannone found the loose puck and poked it under the goaltender's pad to score for the Red and White.

Miami closed within one at 5:17 of the third period when sophomore defenseman Joe Hartman found Smith to close the gap to 4-3 St. Cloud. Hartman sent it around the net and Smith picked it up next to the net to Lee's left and buried the puck as Lee couldn't react in time.

Over the final 15 minutes of the game Miami fired a barrage of shots, including a power play opportunity, but it was to no avail as the Huskies held on for the win and the tournament title.

Smith and Cannone each finished with a goal and an assist to lead Miami while Smith was named to the All-Tournament Team after also notching a pair of assists in Wednesday's win over Maine.

The RedHawks return to CCHA action next weekend as they travel to in-state rival Ohio State Jan. 7-8.

--MURedHawks.com--

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