By Harrison Schwarz, Staff Writer
The Miami University hockey team (13-14-3, 7-11-2-2 NCHC) split the weekend against Western Michigan University (8-19-3, 5-14-1-1 National Collegiate Hockey), winning Friday's game 4-1 and losing Saturday 4-1. Entering Saturday night, the RedHawks had been on a three-game winning streak and had won eight of their last 10 games.
Junior forward Anthony Louis was the standout player of the first game, scoring two of the 'Hawks four goals.
Louis' first goal came when freshman forward Josh Melnick intercepted a pass and chipped the puck up ice to Louis. Louis had a 2-on-1 with Melnick and wristed the puck five-hole, putting the Red and White up 1-0 just 4:26 into the first period.
Miami took the first nine shots of the game before Western Michigan was able to get one off. After their first shot, the Broncos totaled five more before Miami found its offense again.
Miami got back on track when senior forward Kevin Morris slapped a rebound past Western Michigan senior goalie Lukas Hafner off sophomore defensemen Scott Dornbrook's one-timer with 2:42 remaining in the first period.
The RedHawks began the second period strong as well. Three minutes into the period, sophomore defensemen Louis Belpedio swung a pass to freshman forward Keifer Sherwood, who roofed a shot into the Broncos' net, giving Miami a 3-0 lead.
A little more than one minute into the third period, Louis forced a Broncos turnover and rushed toward the WMU goal. As Louis took his shot, a Broncos defender tried to take him down, but Louis stayed on his feet and roofed the puck into the net.
The Broncos scored a garbage time goal with 33 seconds remaining in the third period.
The script was reversed in the second game - Western Michigan controlled the momentum from the start.
With 1:23 remaining in the first period, freshman forward Jade McMullen redirected a shot from a teammate to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead. Western Michigan scored again with one second remaining, taking a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Miami seemed to be gaining momentum when they went on the power play 50 seconds into the second period, but the Broncos scored a shorthanded goal to go up 3-0.
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The 'Hawks got on the board two minutes later during another power play, when Morris redirected a Belpedio shot into the Broncos net 3:51 into the period.
The Broncos scored again 11:08 into the second period, taking the air out of any comeback hopes the 'Hawks may have had.
Head coach Enrico Blasi thought his team played hard, but missed some opportunities to win on Saturday.
"Thought our energy and execution was very good Friday," Blasi said. "We had some opportunities Saturday but didn't take advantage of them. Every game is a battle. We will stay focused on our preparation."
Miami senior goaltender Jay Williams had 27 saves Friday and 24 saves Saturday.
Miami returns home for their final home stand this weekend against Colorado College (6-23-1, 4-15-1 NCHC).
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