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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!
Future RedHawks Gacek and Kuraly Looking Strong
WCPO.com’s John Lachmann had a great report on future RedHawks Alex Gacek and Sean Kuraly as they play in the USHL for Youngstown and Indiana, respectively. Great to see even more skill heading to Oxford this fall (assuming Gacek is in the fold for 2012-13). John does a tremendous job covering the RedHawks including his frequent visits to see the Ice play. Miami’s pipeline to the Ice was solidified after former Miami assistant and current Red Wings assistant coach, Jeff Blashill became the head man in Indianapolis.
Nice work, John!
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. |
Czarnik Named to Team USA Roster
Earlier this morning, Miami’s Austin Czarnik was named to the final Team USA World Junior Championship roster. Team USA will compete in the IIHF U-20 Championship in Calgary, Alberta starting on December 26.
Czarnik’s 1-1-2 performance in Team USA’s 7-3 victory over Switzerland in exhibition play likely earned him a spot on the final roster.
The United States will face Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic and Canada in group play and hope to medal for what would be an unprecedented third consecutive year in program history.
Last season, the U.S. entered the tournament as the defending gold medalists but were unable to reclaim gold on U.S. soil. That honor went to the Russians who mounted an unbelievable third period comeback to defeat Canada 5-3. The Russians erased a 3-0 deficit after two periods to score 5 in the third to win gold. Blame Canada, indeed.
Good luck to Austin and Team USA!
Notes
The Edmonton Journal has more on Austin’s game.
Palmer Likely to Debut Tonight for Wild
Former Miami RedHawk Jarod Palmer is likely to make his NHL debut tonight when the Minnesota Wild host the New York Islanders in St. Paul.
Palmer, who was signed following the completion of the 2010 season as an undrafted free agent has spent parts of the last two seasons playing for the Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, where he has registered 13-25-38 and an impressive +20 in 91 career games.
This is tremendous news because obviously Palmer holds a special place in the hearts of RedHawk fans as he was so instrumental in leading Miami to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four in 2009 and 2010.
In his Miami career, Palmer never missed a game recording 137 points (47-90=137) in 169 outings for the Red and White and was an integral part of Miami’s incredibly successful penalty killing unit that dominated opponents. I fondly remember he and Andy Miele working the first PK unit together and literally maintaining possession in the offensive zone, sometimes throughout the kill.
Congratulations Jarod!
Czarnik invited to Team USA World Junior Camp
Earlier this week, Miami freshman center Austin Czarnik was invited to attend the United States’ World Junior Team camp meaning he has an opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA’s U-20 team and play for his country.
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship is the most prestigious junior tournament in the world and includes the best hockey players under twenty years old on the planet. This year’s tournament will be held December 26, 2011 – January 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.
Last year, the United States hosted in Buffalo, N.Y. and did so as the defending champions. However, the red, white and blue were unable to defend their crown and instead settled for bronze by defeating Sweden in the bronze medal game. In doing so, the U.S. medaled for the second consecutive year for the first time in our nation’s hockey history.
Czarnik will be one of 29 players who attend camp hoping to earn a roster spot with the goal to run the U.S. streak to three consecutive years to earn hardware. The team will head to camp in Camrose, Alta. on December 17 and the final U.S. National Junior Team roster is expected to be released on December 22, 2011.
Congratulations, Austin!
Miami defeats Ohio State 5-3
I have to believe Peter Venkman was thinking of what would happen to the world should Ohio State ever put forth a competitive hockey club when he uttered the famous line, “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!”
Thankfully, all was right with the world, for at least one night, as the up-and-down Miami RedHawks (9-8-3, 5-6-2-1 CCHA) hit an “up” as they defeated Ohio State (12-4-1, 9-3-1-1 CCHA) 5-3 at Cheap Furniture Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Miami received goals from freshmen Jimmy Mullin, Blake Coleman and Austin Czarnik and sophomore Bryon Paulazzo and senior Matt Tomassoni (shorthanded) also lit the lamp for the RedHawks.
On the night, Miami outshot Ohio State 38-30 as senior netminder Connor Knapp won his third game of the season against four defeats.
We’ll have more on tonight’s game as well as Saturday’s series finale in Oxford later this weekend.
Notes
– Miami broke Ohio State’s nine game winning streak and eleven game unbeaten streak
– The victory was the 600th in school history and head coach Enrico Blasi’s first against OSU’s second-year coach, Mark Osiecki. Ohio State swept Miami last year in Columbus.
– Miami won for the first time in the last four games in Columbus (1-2-1)
– With the victory, Miami is currently 17th in the Pairwise and 15th in KRACH having played the 7th most difficult schedule in the country.
– Miami is now 3-0-1 vs. Top 10 opponents. The talent is there, now it’s time for consistency.
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