After taking down Bowling Green in game one of its second round CCHA playoff match up, 4-1, Miami is one win away from making its eighth trip to the CCHA Championship, held at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. With the win, Miami reached the 30-win plateau for the first time in school history.
Earning first-star honors for his efforts was freshman forward Pat Cannone, who led the RedHawks offensive charge by scoring twice for Miami. Cannone has scored three goals in his last three games at Steve Cady Arena. Cannone ranks sixth in the CCHA in points by a rookie with 29.
The goaltending was solid for Miami once again, as junior Jeff Zatkoff stopped 27-of-28 BGSU shots, earning his 24th victory of the season. Zatkoff is undefeated in his last four games, and has allowed just three goals over that span.
Miami’s toughness was tested half way through the second period, as senior captain Ryan Jones was issued a five-minute major penalty and a game-misconduct for a hitting-from-behind call. Just 19 seconds after the RedHawks killed off the infraction, freshman forward Justin Vaive was whistled for another hitting-from-behind penalty, resulting in the same major penalty.
After a first period that saw no offense, Bowling Green opened the night’s scoring 3:35 into the second period, as John Mazzei scored for the Falcons. One of three captains on Bowling Green’s roster, Mazzei now has nine goals in 33 games this season.
Just 16 seconds after the BGSU tally, freshman Pat Cannone netted the equalizer for Miami, his fifth of the year. With just one more point, Cannone will become the sixth RedHawk to score 30 or more points this year.
Only 1:29 after Jones’ ejection, senior alternate captain Nathan Davis stepped up for the Red and White, scoring for Miami to unknot the affair. Davis has been on a tear for Miami, scoring seven points over his last four games.
While enjoying a man-advantage during the third period, Cannone struck again for Miami, giving the RedHawks a two goal cushion. Friday’s two-goal effort by Cannone was the first multi-goal game of his career.
Capping the evening’s offense was freshman forward Tommy Wingels, scoring his 14th goal of the year, tying him with Michigan’s Max Pacioretty for the fourth most goals by a CCHA rookie.
Game two of the best-of-three series between Miami and Bowling Green will be played Saturday night at Steve Cady Arena, with a puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
