Miami sweeps Robert Morris, dominates in home opener

The Miami University RedHawk (3-1-0) offense was electric in their 7-1 win over the Robert Morris University Colonials (0-4-0) at Goggin Ice Center on Oct. 15. Two days later, the RedHawks completed the sweep with a 3-2 away from home.

GAME 1: WIN (7-1)

In the first game, Robert Morris junior defender Dominic Elliott committed a hooking penalty early in the first period, landing him in the penalty box. Miami took advantage of the power play, with sophomore forward Ilia Morozov scoring his first goal of the season in the first two minutes. Forwards senior Matteo Giampa and sophomore David Deputy assisted him.

“It felt unbelievable,” said Morozov. “To celebrate with the crowd and the atmosphere, it feels good.”

Freshman forward Ryan Seelinger doubled the RedHawks’ advantage a few minutes later. The goal was his first for the team. Deputy recorded his second assist of the game. Sophomore defender Michael Phelan would also get one as well.

The Colonials struck back halfway through the first period. Their goal came from sophomore forward Luca Primerano, with junior forwards Patrick Johnson and Braden Rourke recording assists.

Miami continued its scoring in the first period. Like the first goal, it came on a power play. After a holding penalty on Robert Morris defender senior Luke Van Why, Morozov netted his second goal of the game with under five minutes in the first. Giampa and sophomore forward Kocha Delic would be credited with the assists.

Delic himself joined the scoring column, adding the RedHawks’ fourth goal at the start of the second period after a defensive mistake. Giampa made it a hat trick of assists with his third. A little over two minutes later, Miami added its fifth goal, with freshman defender Cal Huston scoring his first goal for the team. Like Giampa earlier, Deputy accumulated his third assist of the night, Seelinger also credited with an assist.

A lack of discipline affected both teams midway through the second period. Giampa and Robert Morris freshman forward Ben Pickell were assessed roughing penalties after a confrontation. Miami sophomore defender Shaun McEwan joined them in the penalty box less than thirty seconds later for cross-checking.

Despite the numerical advantage, the Colonials failed to capitalize. With six minutes remaining, Delic scored his second and the RedHawks’ sixth goal of the game. Giampa added his fourth assist of the game, with freshman forward Matouš Kucharcík also getting an assist.

Miami’s seventh and final goal of the game came just over a minute into the third period. Sophomore forward Ethan Hay scored his first goal of the season, with freshman defender Branko Vukas getting his first assist for the team.

“It wasn’t just that we were executing,” said head coach Anthony Noreen. “I thought we executed at a pretty high level early.”

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GAME 2: WIN(3-2)

Miami traveled to Moon Township, Pennsylvania to face the Colonials at the RMU Island Sports Center for the second game of the series.

Just like the first game, Morozov scored first for the RedHawks, giving them a 1-0 lead early in the first period, with an assist from Vukas. Robert Morris, however, equalized a little over two minutes later, with junior forward and team captain Patrick Johnson grabbing the goal.

Late in the first period, Morozov again scored from the power play, taking advantage of a tripping penalty on Robert Morris’ sophomore forward Bruce McDonald. Giampa and Kucharcík recorded the assists.

For the fourth time in the series, and second time on the night, the RedHawks capitalized on a power play. After the Colonials had too many players on the ice, Giampa gave Miami a 3-1 lead late on in the second period.

The Colonials’ freshman defender Gavin Ewles scored his first collegiate goal with five seconds remaining in the game to make the score 3-2, but it would be too late for them to score anymore, and Miami completed the sweep.

“I thought the third period was our best by far,” said Noreen. “Different games call for a different recipe. Obviously, there’s a lot of things that are non-negotiables for us, but what a mature team does over the course of five periods in a series is figuring out what the recipe is against that team and be able to learn and listen and apply it.”

Next, the RedHawks will play against the University of Alaska Anchorage on Oct. 23 at 7:05 p.m. at Goggin. The series will conclude the following night at 6:05 p.m., also at Goggin.

smithat4@miamioh.edu