Cody Reichard had a record night, recording a career-high 33 saves and earning his school-record fifth shutout of the season to help top-ranked Miami edge Lake Superior State 2-0 Friday night at Steve Cady Arena.
Carter Camper scored the decisive goal for the RedHawks, who improved their record to 19-4-6 overall, and 16-1-4-2 in the CCHA. Brian Mohoney-Wilson made 30 saves in the losing effort for the Lakers, who fell to 14-10-5 overall, and 9-9-3-2 in the CCHA.
Although being outshot 17-9 by the Lakers in the first period, the RedHawks were able to convert on a late chance in the opening frame to open the scoring.
The goal came when Miami turned a Lake Superior giveaway into a last second rush. Tommy Wingels, the RedHawks’ leading scorer with 30 points this season, took the puck in the Miami zone and found Camper along the boards by the Lake Superior bench. Camper skated around a Lakers’ defender and put his backhand shot under the stretched out leg of Mahoney-Wilson to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead with ten seconds left in the opening period.
The Lakers continued to hold the shot advantage over the RedHawks 26-24 through two periods, but couldn’t put a shot past Reichard.
“Cody was unbelievable for us tonight in net,” said Miami coach Enrico Blasi. “They had some great chances to score, especially in the first period, but Cody made some nice saves to keep the puck out.”
The best scoring chance for the Lakers in the second period came on a power play when senior defender Simon Gysbers fired a shot at the Miami net. The shot forced a rebound from Reichard, and caused a scramble for the loose puck in front of goal. Senior winger Zac MacVoy got control of the rebound and put it on net, but Reichard just got enough of it to force it just over the top of the goal and keep the Lakers off of the scoreboard.
Miami had a great chance to double its tally in the third period on a five-on-three two-man advantage, but Mahoney-Wilson kept his strong game going by denying blue-line shots from Miami sophomore defenders Chris Wideman and Will Weber.
The Lakers managed six shots in the final period to bring their game total to 33, but couldn’t find their way past Reichard, who earned his 14th win in 19 outings this season. After the Lakers pulled their goalie in the final minute, RedHawks junior Andy Miele sealed the win with an empty-net goal to give Miami a 2-0 victory.
“There were times when we weren’t sharp with the puck,” said Blasi. “The game had great speed and sometimes that happens in a game like this. Both teams had turnovers, but there were also some nice plays that were made all over the ice.”
