Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Fall, 6-0, to Miami
3/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 9, 2012
Oxford, Ohio - - Miami blitzed Michigan State with four second-period markers and finished off a 6-0 victory in the first game of the CCHA quarterfinal series on Friday night in Oxford. The RedHawks got four of their six goals from freshmen - including a two-goal, two-assist night by Jimmy Mullin - and a 27-save shutout by Connor Knapp in the victory.
"This is a very good team, and I believe I said it earlier in the week - [Miami] is under-rated, offensively," said head coach Tom Anastos. "Not that they scored six goals, but the really nice plays they made and the offensive pressure they are able to generate. I thought the first period was pretty good for us, but obviously the second period was a challenge. We just need to regroup and be ready to go on Saturday."
The home team got on the board just 12 seconds into the game, as Jimmy Mullin pounced on a loose puck in front of the net and potted his 10th goal of the season. While the RedHawks got the first one, the Spartans quickly regrouped and the teams went toe-to-toe quite evenly for the opening period, with MSU getting some periods of sustained pressure in the offensive zone, as well as a couple great shorthanded looks that were all stopped by Knapp.
The Red Hawks got a pair of goals less than a minute apart in the early part of the second period to blow the lead open at 3-0. Chris Wideman got the first marker; the trailing defender, he put back a rebound of a Mullin shot that Yanakeff saved at the near post, but the rebound came out into the slot where Wideman had an empty right side for his shot. Just over 30 seconds later, Curtis McKenzie sprung Tyler Biggs for a breakaway, and he went low, glove-side for his ninth marker of the season. That opened the floodgates, as two more pucks found the back of the Spartan net: Jimmy Mullin got his second of the night at 13:26, and Cameron Shilling's blast from the point ricocheted off of Blake Coleman in front in the final minute of the second period to allow the home team a 5-0 lead at the second intermission.
The Spartans came out with Drew Palmisano in net for the third period, and he got into the game quickly - he had a couple of quality saves right out of the gate, including an impressive stop on Smith in the third minute of play in the period. The only marker for Miami in the frame was a power-play marker by McKenzie, who backhanded a rebound into the upper right corner.
Palmisano made 12 saves in the third period, while Yanakeff made 21 in the first and second frames.
MSU will look to even the series on Saturday, as the teams face off in game two at 7 pm at Steve Cady Arena.
NOTES: The six goals allowed was the most by MSU this season ... It was the fifth time this season MSU has allowed five or more goals, but three of the first four times came in the first three weeks of the season against Boston College, Lake Superior State, and Ohio State. MSU also allowed five goals to Northern Michigan in a 5-5 deadlock back in January ... Miami's four second-period goals were the most allowed by MSU in any period this season ... The Spartans have been shut out in consecutive games by the Red Hawks, and have lost four straight overall to Miami dating back to last season ...
