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Lake Superior’s Andrew Perrault Suspended One Game
Well, new CCHA commissioner Fred Pletsch is certainly laying down the law.
A day after Miami freshman forward Tyler Biggs was suspended for two games for delivering an elbow to the head of Michigan State’s Matt Grassi, Lake Superior sophomore defenseman Andrew Perrault was suspended for one game (Friday’s series opener against the RedHawks) for “delivering an illegal hit to the head of a University of Michigan player.”
Now the fun starts.
So, Biggs gets two games for contact to the head, but Perrault gets just one? If the CCHA is going to be so vague, there has to be some mention of why. I’m not saying Fred Pletsch should go all Brendan Shanahan, but this is disconcerting.
Miami loses one of its most talented young players for two games for contact to the head but the Lake player gets just one?
Yet again, it is what it is I guess.
Biggs Suspended for Lake Superior Series
Today the CCHA announced that Miami freshman forward Tyler Biggs has been suspended for two games for “delivering an illegal hit directly to the head of a Michigan State player.”
Though Biggs was not penalized on the play, I can only infer from the league’s cryptic statement that it most likely was an elbow to the head of Michigan State junior defenseman Matt Grassi that knocked him out of most of the third period on Friday and all of Saturday night’s game. It’s strange, however, that very little was made of this in the postgame on Friday or the postmortem delivered by MSU head coach Tom Anastos after Saturday’s 4-0 Miami victory. From TheStateNews.com:
Grassi took an apparent elbow to the face in the third period of Friday’s game, leading to a concussion that required “8-10 stitches.” Anastos said Grassi demonstrated concussion-like symptoms and is out indefinitely until he is cleared to play.
However, Anastos was not prepared to dismiss injuries as the reason why his team struggled this weekend.
“We don’t want to have any excuses for any reason,” Anastos said. “We have to play the game. Every team has injuries. Certainly our team is not a team that’s loaded with depth, you know. But you have to play over that. Like I said before, you have injuries, and it creates opportunities for others.”
So, it is what it is, I guess, but two games feels a little harsh. It’s certainly too bad that Grassi is injured, but it’s also surprising that no penalty was called on the play.
Regardless, Biggs is out of the lineup for Miami’s big series against Lake Superior State in the SOO. Currently, Miami is just one point behind the Lakers in the CCHA standings and the RedHawks would like nothing more than to sweep them in their barn and turn the tables on the Laker sweep of the October series in Oxford. And, a Miami sweep would give them sole possession of fourth place and notch a couple more big Pairwise wins since the Lakers are currently tied for 16th in the all important rankings.
Biggs will be eligible to return to the lineup on January 20 when the RedHawks finally return home to face Western Michigan.
Connor Knapp named INCH National Player of the Week
Fresh off earning CCHA Goaltender of the week honors, Miami senior netminder Connor Knapp is the Inside College Hockey National Player of the Week.
Knapp’s stellar weekend in which he allowed just one goal on 54 shots leading Miami to a needed road sweep of then #15 Michigan State earned the distinction over several players including Daniel Bahntge (Mercyhurst), Daniel Carr (Union), Joey Diamond (Maine) and Carter Rowney (North Dakota).
Congratulations, again, Connor!
Schilling and Knapp Named CCHA Players of the Week
Cameron Schilling Connor Knapp
Senior defenseman Cameron Schilling and senior goaltender Connor Knapp were named the CCHA’s Defenseman and Goaltender of the Week, respectively for their efforts in helping Miami earn a road sweep at Michigan State.
Schilling notched two assists and four blocked shots on the weekend while Knapp stopped 53 of 54 shots including a whitewashing of the Spartans on Saturday night.
The two seniors are part of the most successful run in Miami hockey history having been part of two Frozen Four teams and a CCHA regular season and conference tournament champion.
Congratulations Cameron and Connor!
You know polls are a sham when…
The opponent you just swept over the weekend is still ranked (Michigan State is 18th) and you aren’t.
The new USCHO poll does not include Miami, yet a team Miami allowed just one goal to over the weekend, Michigan State, is still 18th. And, since it looks like the USCHO pollsters weren’t paying attention, they should know the RedHawks are tied for 12th in the current Pairwise (MSU is tied for 18th) and ranked 12th in KRACH (MSU is 13th). At least the guys at Inside College Hockey got it somewhat right having Miami reenter their power rankings at 20th while MSU is out.
But, at the end of the day, it’s not the pollsters that decide anything. It’s the Pairwise that will determine Miami’s national title hopes.
Miami finishes sweep of #15 Michigan State 4-0
Connor Knapp made 20 saves and Miami received goals from four different players as they completed the weekend sweep at #15 Michigan State winning 4-0 on Saturday night.
Junior forward Reilly Smith opened the scoring by tallying the eventual game-winning goal on a 5×3 powerplay midway through the second period and the RedHawks exploded for three goals to break open the game in the third as they peppered Spartan netminder Will Yanakeff with 44 shots.
Reilly Smith rings a shot off the post as Will Yanakeff attempts to make a save.
With the weekend sweep, Miami moved all the way to fifth place in the tightly packed CCHA standings, and if the season ended today, Miami would earn a first round bye in the CCHA tournament. Additionally Miami has moved solidly into NCAA tournament consideration as both their KRACH, and more importantly, Pairwise numbers are favorable. Miami is now ranked 10th in KRACH having faced the fourth most difficult schedule in the country and tied for 11th in the Pairwise meaning the RedHawks would be a #3 seed if the season ended today. But, it’s still early January.
One troubling note coming out of this game was that Miami found itself shorthanded eight times and took eleven penalties in the game. Hopefully, it was simply the presence of former CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos on the Spartan bench that led to many questionable calls against the RedHawks and not the start of another trend. It is true that Miami is a physically imposing, strong team and at times it does seem as though the RedHawks receive the short end of the stick for “being too strong.” To his credit, Anastos said of the Friday game, “I thought that we got what we expected – a tough, physical game from an opponent that has some pretty good size across the board. They made things tough for us, but we generated some shots and did a good job getting in front of the net.” (source: Lansing State Journal) So, at least the Spartan head man acknowledged the size and strength of the RedHawks and certainly did not go on the record complaining about calls because he got plenty of them Saturday night. On the results of the weekend, Anastos said, “When someone comes into your rink and beats you in every phase of the game, that’s unacceptable.” (source: Lansing State Journal) It’s always great hearing an opposing coach talk about how his team was dominated — especially in their barn.
So, 2012 has gotten off to a nice start for the RedHawks. But, with plenty of hockey to still be played, Miami has to string together the kind of second half that can propel them up the national rankings and into the CCHA, and hopefully, NCAA tournaments come March.
Miami is back in action next week as they travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. to take on Lake Superior. The Lakers swept Miami in Oxford on October 27-28 so the RedHawks will be looking for payback as well as yet another chance to face someone ahead of them in the CCHA and national standings.
Notes
– Miami’s 44 shots on goal was a season’s high mark and they dominated the Spartans with a 20-5 SOG advantage in the final period.
– Tyler Biggs, Alden Hirschfeld and Blake Coleman had Miami’s three goals in the third period.
– Miami’s last sweep over MSU also came on the road November 14-15, 2008.
– Connor Knapp earned both weekend wins allowing just one goal on 54 shots (.981). The shutout was the ninth of Knapp’s outstanding Miami career.
– Miami’s penalty kill was 13-for-13 on the weekend.
– It seems as if Miami has been on the road the entire season, as they have played just one home game since November 19. But, after next weekend’s series at Lake Superior, Miami plays nine of its remaining twelve games at Steve Cady Arena.
– Here’s Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos on the differences between his Spartans and Miami. Courtesy USCHO.com
Miami starts 2012 with 2-1 victory over Michigan State
Freshman Jimmy Mullin scored his fifth goal of the season just 1:24 into overtime and senior goaltender Connor Knapp made 33 saves as Miami started 2012 with a 2-1 victory over #15 Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mich.
Miami sophomore forward Bryon Paulazzo opened the scoring late in the first period with his third goal of the year, but MSU’s Greg Wolfe notched the tying goal just twelve seconds later as good defense and great goaltending ruled the remainder of regulation.
Entering overtime, Miami was a paltry 0-3-2 in extra session games this year and had not won an overtime game since senior co-captain Alden Hirschfeld scored the game-winner in double OT against Michigan in the 2010 NCAA Regional Final in Fort Wayne, Ind. That game was played on March 28, 2010.
Not to be denied in their sixth OT opportunity, Miami dominated the extra period outshooting the Spartans 4-0. Fresh of the plane from Alberta, Canada, Team USA World Junior Championship hero Austin Czarnik found Mullin from behind the net, and as the MSU defense collapsed on Miami junior forward Reilly Smith, Mullin found himself with an opportunity and beat senior Spartan netminder Drew Palmisano high over his left shoulder.
“Czarnik made a nice play behind the net and I came around the right-hand side and everybody went to Reilly (Smith) so when they go to one person all you have to do is shoot and it went in,” Mullin said of the game-winner. “I was really excited about that.” (source: MURedHawks.com)
Notes
– It was Mullin’s first career game-winning goal.
– Miami is now 6-3 against Michigan State over the past three seasons.
– Smith was one of the best players on the ice and was denied on several grade A chances by Palmisano. He led all Miami skaters with six shots on goal.
– Freshman forward Cody Murphy played in his first game since injuring his leg in a game on October 8, 2011.
– By earning the OT victory on the ice, rather than in a skills competition, Miami earned all three CCHA league points and now sits in seventh place, but just two points out of fourth in the tightly contested conference race for home ice and a first round bye.
– Here’s USCHO’s CCHA beat writer Paula C. Weston’s take on the game and postgame video with head coach Enrico Blasi below.
Winter Break in Review; Weekend Preview against MSU
Get over your New Year’s hangovers, ladies and gentlemen. IT’S HOCKEY TIME AGAIN!!!!
While the Redskin Warriors were busy feasting on some football bowl games, delicious Christmas dinners, and partying way to hard on New Years, but we’re back in the groove now, and ready to rock the second half of the RedHawks’ season.
Austin Czarnik plays in the U-18 WJC in Canada
Austin Czarnik was named Team USA’s Best Three Players of the World Junior Championship in Canada. Czarnik had 3 points in the tournament opener (1-2–3) against Denmark, and was featured by the NHL Network and CBS College Sports’ Dave Starman in a special feature before the US’ loss to Finland last week. Sweden won the WJC in an overtime thriller over Russia last night if you didn’t catch the game, and the US was 3-3 in the tournament, but did not make the medal round. Have no fear – Czarnik will be back in red and white (minus the blue) Friday and Saturday in East Lansing.
Tommy Wingels was called back up to the San Jose Sharks, and Andy Miele made another appearance in Phoenix.
Wingels came from the Worcester Sharks on 1/5/12, and has a 13-8–21 line in 29 games this season. Tommy had 4 goals, 2 assists and a +6 rating during the week ending 12/18/11, and was named AHL Player of the Week for his efforts. Wingles likely takes the place of the Sharks injured Colin White, who is on IR. He has recoorded 10 shots, 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes in his previous 4 games with the NHL club this season. Tommy has since been sent back to Worcester. He played over 10 minutes against the Blue Jackets on 1/5/12, and registered just 1 shot.
Miele was called back up on December 27th. He has played 24 games with the Portland Pirates (AHL), and was named the AHL’s Rookie of the Month for November (4-9–13 points in 10 games in November) and earned a spot on the AHL Eastern Conference’s All-Star Team. In his previous stint with the big club, Miele played 5 games and collected 4 penalty minutes, but no points. If you’re in the Providence area, Andy faces off against the Providence Bruins and former classmate Carter Camper tonight as he returns to AHL action.
Kevyn Adams to be inducted to Miami Hall of Fame on February 11
Kevyn Adams, Miami’s 4th leading scorer all time with 172 points and a lenghty NHL career, will join the Miami Hall of Fame on February 11. Adams scored 69 goals, 103 assists and was a CCHA All-Rookie Team member, hit the 2nd Team All-CCHA squad in 94-95, and signed redhawk95’s #10 Miami jersey in a now-infamous visit to Oxford several years ago. Adams’ good looks are rivaled only by redhawk95, and for it, Kevyn bought the table a pitcher of beer.
That’s myself, some guy who was stealing our “Kevyn Adams beer” (Hi A.S.!!!), and redhawk95 from left to right.
Adams is also one of just 2 Miami Redskins/RedHawks to have his name enscribed on the Stanley Cup, having won the cup with the Carolina Hurricanes (now the Winnipeg Jets) in 2006. The induction will take place at the Miami Men’s Basketball game on February 11 at 3:30pm, and Adams is sure to head over to the Goggin for the 7:05 puck drop against Alabama-Huntsville.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: RedHawks travel to East Lansing for 2-game set against Michigan State
Michigan State (the “consensus No. 15 team in the country” per MSUSpartans.com) starts a 6 game homestand with this weekend’s series, and they come off of a runner up finish in the Great Lakes Invitational last weekend. MSU beat Michigan Tech in the semifinals of the 4-team tournament, and allowed a game-winner 3:22 into overtime against Michigan last Friday night in the championship game.
MSU is led by former CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos, and are currently tied for 6th in the topsy-turvy CCHA standings. Michgan State is 6-5-1 in the CCHA and 11-7-2 overall. The Spartans have at least 2 games in hand on each of the other 10 teams in the league though, and will look to climb up those standings quickly in 2012.
It’s been a long time off for the Hawks, as they have not played since losing to the second-ranked Ohio State University in overtime on December 10th. After the month off, it will be interesting to see how the Hawks fare as they start the second half, or if the Rico Swoon will be of the season-long variety this year. Miami finished the first half losing 3 of 4 games, and looks to make a turnaround in the second half after a disappointing start of the season.
Reilly Smith is still leading the way for the RedHawks, tallying 12 goals and 5 assists. Czarnik, who will be back from Canada in time for the game Friday night, has 7 goals and 9 assists and also leads the team with a +7 rating. Captain Alden Hirschfeld is the only other ‘Hawk in double digits with 5 goals and 9 assists. No other ‘Hawks were in action over the break with any international teams, so look for a slow start on Friday night and a better effort Saturday.
MSU will likely send out Drew Palmisano to keep the net clear of RedHawk shots in both contests. Last year, Palmisano led MSU to a 7-4 victory on Friday night in East Lansing. Miami’s head coach Enrico Blasi got medieval on the Hawks, only starting 20 skaters the next night, and the motivation worked, as Miami took a 4-0 victory Saturday night. Look for the Reichard/Knapp rotation again for Miami, as both goalies are healthy (as are all skaters, INCLUDING Cody Murphy, who starts Friday night!).
Fearless Predictions
MSU got a jump on the break and will rock us tonight, but we’ll come back strong Saturday night.
MSU 4-1 Friday, Miami 4-2 Saturday.
Enjoy the games, and Go RedHawks!
Team USA routs Denmark 11-3
Miami’s Austin Czarnik had two assists and generated several quality scoring chances and linemates Kyle Rau and Nick Bjugstad combined for three goals as Team USA won its first WJC match 11-3.
The U.S. led 3-2 after one period as the Danes were able to keep the score close on the strength of two powerplay goals. But, at even strength, they were no match for the Americans who outshot Denmark 44-24 on the night.
In the second, the United States exploded for six goals to end any drama.
Denmark would add one more powerplay marker in the third and Jack Campbell made 21 saves for the victory.
Next up for Team USA is Finland on Wednesday at 3:30pm EDT. The game will be televised on NHL Network.
Overall, I was impressed by the combination of size and speed of the Americans. On the blueline, the Americans are imposing with former Notre Dame commit, Jarred Tinordi leading the troops and standing a stout 6’7″. But, the U.S. goes 6’7″ (Tinordi), 6’5″ (Derek Forbort), 6’4″ (Stephen Johns and Kevin Gravel), 6’3 (Jon Merrill) and 6’2″ (Jacob Trouba). In addition the speed of Jason Zucker, Austin Czarnik and Emerson Etem was devastating as Czarnik in particular was flying all over the ice. Said, Miami’s Trent Vogelhuber on his Twitter feed last night, “Good start for USA’s @ACzarnik7. Best player under 5’7″ I’ve ever played with. @Andy_Miele and @c_camps11 (Carter Camper) battling it out for the #2 spot.” And, Chris Wideman added, “Watched the USA game tonight and can’t help but thinking @ACzarnik7 was the best forward on the ice.”
I was also impressed by the Americans puck movement and though they’ve just been together a short time, they looked reasonably smooth and fluid. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up against better competition such as Finland (though they were beaten 8-1 yesterday by Team Canada) and the Czech Republic (who face Denmark today). Overall, a good start for Team USA.
Notes
– Canadian “fans” were chanting “USA sucks” throughout the game. You stay classy Canada.
– Former BU standout Charlie Coyle registered a hat trick for Team USA.
– Chris Peters had this to say about the game at the UnitedStatesofHockey.com
Follow Austin and Team USA through the WJC on NHL Network
Merry Christmas to all!
Considering the pro basketball league started their season today, I spent the afternoon watching replays of the 2010 WJC when Team USA rolled Finland, Sweden and Canada in succession to capture gold on Canuck soil. Here’s hoping this year’s squad, coached by UNO head man Dean Blais (who also coached the ’10 team) can earn some hardware for the Red, White and Blue. If they medal, it will be the third consecutive year for the Americans which would be a first in our country’s history.
As you know, Miami will be represented on Team USA by freshman center Austin Czarnik. NHL Network will have each U.S. game. Here’s the broadcast schedule so you can follow Austin and Team USA throughout the tournament.
Go Austin! Go USA!
Dec. 26 – Jan. 5
| Date | Game | Time (EST) |
| Mon., Dec. 26 | Canada vs. Finland | 3:30 p.m. |
| USA vs. Denmark | 8 p.m. | |
| Tues., Dec. 27 | Denmark vs. Czech Republic | 8 p.m. |
| Wed., Dec. 28 | Finland vs. USA | 3:30 p.m. |
| Czech Republic vs. Canada | 8 p.m. | |
| Thurs., Dec. 29 | Canada vs. Denmark | 8 p.m. |
| Fri., Dec. 30 | Czech Republic vs. USA | 3:30 p.m. |
| Finland vs. Denmark | 8 p.m. | |
| Sat., Dec. 31 | USA vs. Canada | 8 p.m. |
| Mon., Jan. 2 | Quarterfinal #1 | 5:00 p.m. |
| Quarterfinal #2 | 9:00 p.m. | |
| Tue., Jan. 3 | Semifinal #1 | 5:00 p.m. |
| Semifinal #2* | 9:00 p.m. | |
| Thur., Jan. 5 | Bronze-Medal Game | 3:30 p.m. |
| Gold-Medal Game | 8:00 p.m. |
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