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For the first time all season the Miami University ice hockey team (9-1-0, 7-1-0 CCHA) came out on the losing end of a game, falling 2-1 to the University of Notre Dame (7-4-0, 5-2-0 CCHA) Friday night. However the RedHawks fought back Saturday night, winning 3-1 to earn a series split.
Playing in his first game since injuring his shoulder in the season opener against the University of Vermont, senior Nathan Davis put in Miami's first goal Friday night.
"It was a great play by Justin (Vaive) to keep the puck in, and an unbelievable pass by Alex (Lacombe), I was just in the right place in the right time," Davis said.
Davis' first goal was the only tally for the 'Hawks as they were unable to battle back from a two-goal deficit. He would also add an assist Saturday night, giving him two points in his first two full games of the season.
The RedHawks put up an aggressive battle after the Davis goal; however, with the luck of the Irish on its side, Notre Dame was able to withstand the 'Hawks' pressure, and Miami lost for the first time this season.
"It was a tight game all night long," Head Coach Enrico Blasi said after Friday night's loss. "Every inch was a battle tonight, but for 60 minutes they were the better team, and they came out with the win."
Despite being down two goals early, the RedHawks kept playing their style of hockey, but were unable to get a lucky bounce.
"I thought we stuck to our game, getting the puck deep and controlling the play," senior captain Ryan Jones said. "Obviously we are upset with the loss but to carry those two periods into tomorrow is pretty big."
Looking to even the series, Miami brought the heat to the ice when it was needed most Saturday night. Looking to get off to a quick start, the RedHawks scored just seven minutes into the first period. Connecting off a pass from senior defenseman Mitch Ganzak, senior forward Nino Musitelli wired a slap shot from the blue line into the back of the net.
Closing out the first period, freshman Tommy Wingles increased Miami's lead dropping a pass from Justin Mercier into the left side of the Notre Dame net, sending the Irish into the locker room trailing 2-0.
"We were able to establish our fore check and keep the puck down low," Zatkoff said. "When we keep the puck down low and don't turn it over we control the game. Last night we gave them too many chances and made it too easy for them."
One positive for Miami was its ability to stay out of the penalty box, and when they were a man down, the strong play of the penalty-killing unit.
"Our penalty killers did a great job especially in the third period when we had to kill a few key ones," Blasi said. "It has been part of our early success and I am sure it will continue to develop."
Miami continued the scoring early into the second period, as freshman forward Pat Cannone netted his first career collegiate goal 4:47 into the second period, to extend the Miami lead to
three goals.
"It was a great game for us tonight; we did exactly what we wanted to do," Cannone said. "We came out hard, putting a lot of pucks on the pads. It was definitely a good team effort after last night."
Notre Dame finally put themselves on the board 2:13 into the third period with a goal from forward Evan Rankin, who dumped the puck past a screened Zatkoff. Sealing the victory Saturday night, Zatkoff turned away 27 of 28 shots.
"Our goaltending, whether it is Zatkoff or Effinger, gives us the best chances to be in the game and win the game," Blasi said. "Zatkoff certainly did that tonight; he had to make some big saves early and late."
With a short week of practice ahead of them, the RedHawks travel to East Lansing, Mich. to face off in a two-game series against the defending NCAA National Champions, Michigan State University Spartans Nov. 15.
"We have a short week ahead of us, but we will worry about Thursday night first and hopefully we will come out with a couple W's," Zatkoff said.
