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Cornell extends hockey's winless streak to nine

Ben Blanchard, Sports Editor

For the fourth straight weekend series, the Miami University hockey team was unable to pick up a win. While the RedHawks managed to stay within a goal in both games at non-conference opponent Cornell University, they fell 4-3 Friday and 2-1 Saturday.

While Miami (3-8-4) tied No. 1 Denver twice in its last series before travelling to CU, the 'Hawks have not won a contest since an Oct. 28 overtime 2-1 victory over Bowling Green.

Friday night, Miami looked to be on track to snap the skid, as it held a 2-0 lead late in the second period. But just like that, the Big Red responded with four unanswered goals.

Freshman forward Karch Bachman's first career goal pulled MU within one with 3:04 remaining in regulation, but the 'Hawks were unable to net a tying goal.

"This stretch has been tough," freshman and starting forward Carson Meyer said. "But it's just a matter of time before we things turn around. We're ready to go on a win streak, and when we figure it out, we won't look back."

Meyer, who won a USHL championship last season with the Tri-City Storm, has been a standout in his first college season. In his first action since Nov. 7 (illness), the winger scored Miami's first goal Friday and only tally Saturday. The Powell, Ohio native has four goals and eight assists through 11 games, and his 12 points are the third-most of any MU skater.

"I didn't really know what to expect coming into the year, but my line mates are great players who set me up well," Meyer said. "I've obviously been glad to put up numbers, but those are meaningless if we aren't winning games."

Entering the the third period Saturday, the Hawks' were facing a two-goal deficit and a ninth straight winless finish. Third minutes into the final period, Meyer snatched a rebound and banked the puck off of Cornell goaltender Mitch Gillam to cut the deficit to one.

For a second straight night, Miami was unable to tie the game in the third.

"When it comes down to it, when it matters the most, I'm confident we'll be where we need to be," freshman and starting goaltender Ryan Larkin said. "April is when this all needs to come together."

Larkin has also been a key first-year contributor, adding 39 saves this weekend to put his season average at .910.

"We need to play Miami hockey and play the way we're capable of," Larkin said. "If we stick to our systems, the games will come."

With the sweep, Cornell improves to 7-3-1 on the year.

Miami returns to the Goggin Ice Center and National Collegiate Hockey Conference action against Colorado College this weekend. The pucks drops at 7:35 p.m. Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday.