Miami’s Jason Deskins busted out of a five-game scoring drought, scoring two goals and leading the RedHawks to a crucial 4-1 victory that ended a nine-game losing skid versus Northern Michigan.
Miami opened the contest with a flurry, tallying three first-period goals while outshooting the Wildcats, 18-10, in the opening frame. Freshman Mike Kompon opened the scoring for the RedHawks at 7:32, netting a close-range power-play goal.
Less than two minutes later, Deskins ended his five-game scoring drought when an intended pass to teammate Ernie Hartlieb went off the skate of a Wildcat player and into the net.
Miami rounded out its quick start when Mike Glumac netted the Red and White’s second power-play goal of the night.
Northern Michigan came out with a gutsy effort in the second period, outshooting the RedHawks, 12-11, and netting the period’s only goal, a power-play effort by Sean Connolly. However, the 3-1 deficit was as close as the Wildcats would get.
Deskins struck the final blow at 8:16 in the third period when he redirected a Bart Stevens pass past Wildcat netminder Craig Kowalski.
With the win, Miami remained in fourth place in the CCHA standings behind Nebraska Omaha, which has completed its league schedule, but placed itself within one win of clinching at least a third-place finish in the final standings. Two wins and a Michigan loss to Michigan State next weekend would vault the RedHawks to a second-place finish in the league standings.
