>From MURedHawks.com

The No. 1 Miami hockey team (4-0-1, 1-0-0-0 CCHA) remained undefeated Friday night at Steve Cady Arena, opening Central Collegiate Hockey Association play with 2-1 victory over Michigan State (3-2-0, 0-1-0-0 CCHA).

Cody Reichard was brilliant in goal, making 24 saves, including one on a penalty shot, and Tommy Wingels scored twice to lead the RedHawks to the victory.

“Cody made the save on the penalty shot, that was big,” head coach Enrico Blasi said. “He also made two subtle saves that I don’t know if people saw, one late in the second period and one in the third period, they look routine, but they were really big saves for us.”

The scoreless first period was highlighted by clean, hard defense on both sides of the ice with each team only committing one penalty apiece. Both netminders were strong in goal, turning away any scoring opportunity that made it through the defense.

Just 49 seconds into the second period, Reichard made two big saves to keep the game tied. Michigan State stole the puck near Miami’s blue line and passed ahead to Andrew Rowe who was racing down the ice for a breakaway. Miami defenseman Chris Wideman gave chase and got his stick on him, but Rowe was still able to take a hard shot.

“It was a really good shot he got off, it kind of surprised me,” Reichard said. He made the save, but Wideman was called for hooking on the play and Michigan State was awarded a penalty shot. On the penalty shot Reichard again came up big for the `Hawks, making the save.

“We practice that every Thursday, we do breakaways and penalty shots. We have a lot of skilled guys who have a lot of great moves, so I get a lot of practice,” Reichard said.

At 11:45 of the second period, Miami was finally able to break through the Michigan State defense while on a 5-on-3 power play. The RedHawks set up in the offensive zone and moved the puck around, trying to find an opening. Pat Cannone took a pass at the top of the right faceoff circle and sent a crossing pass to a wide-open Wingels at the top of the left faceoff circle. Wingels fired a one-timer past the Spartan goalie for his first goal of the game. Carter Camper earned the second assist.

Miami’s lead was short-lived however, as Michigan State was able to tie the game on a power play at 15:17 of the second period. The Spartans made a series of passes before taking a hard slap shot from the left side. Reichard made the save, but fell to his right. The puck deflected to the right side of the net and Michigan State’s Derek Grant was able to score on the rebound to make it 1-1.

In contrast to the lack of penalties in the first period, the teams combined for six power plays on nine penalties in the second period.

At 18:02 of the final period, Miami scored the go-ahead goal on a wrist shot by Wingels. Camper carried the puck into the offensive zone and drew the defense before leaving the puck for Wingels who was skating in behind him. Wingels shot the puck through traffic past the Michigan State goaltender for the game-winner.