Miami will be idle Friday and Saturday as it prepares for the Michigan Wolverines Feb. 8-9.
With a weekend sweep of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, the Miami University ice hockey team not only regained the No. 1 spot in the country, but also is in sole possession of first place in the CCHA and now will control its destiny for the rest of the season.
The RedHawks blanked the Nanooks 2-0 Friday, before going off on a scoring frenzy Saturday, winning 7-2.
"It was nice to get a couple wins down there-it allows us to control our own destiny from here on out," senior captain Ryan Jones said.
Miami's brick wall, known by name as goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, was a major factor in the weekend's victories, stopping 44 of the Nanooks' 46 shots during the weekend, giving him 20 wins this season. Zatkoff went just over 216 minutes before allowing a goal, as he compiled back-to-back shutouts of both Lake Superior State and then Friday night's game against the Nanooks. That streak is the longest in school history.
"For us, winning is just part of the process; we want to play our best every time we step on the ice," Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. "We know that with every game the stakes become greater."
After a scoreless first period Friday night, junior forward Justin Mercier broke the tension wiring a shot over the glove-hand of Alaska goaltender, Wylie Rogers, just 1:29 into the second period. Senior forward Nino Musitelli put his seventh goal of the season in during the third period to round out the scoring for the evening.
"Friday we played well for the first 15 minutes, and then settled down and played their style," Jones said. "We found a way to win Friday night and that's what's important."
Returning to battle Saturday night, the Red and White came out prepared to defend its winning ways as sophomore Jarod Palmer netted Miami's first shot on goal just 1:28 into the first period. Mercier popped up on the score sheet again, connecting off a pass from Palmer during the 'Hawks' penalty kill.
"Jarod and I got down in the offensive zone and put pressure on their defenseman," Mercier said. "He made a nice pass to the slot and I took a quick spin and shot the puck low glove to beat the goalie."
With Mercier's 20th goal of the season, Miami is now the only team in the country with two 20-goal scorers. Fifty-seven NCAA Division-I teams do not have a single 20-goal scorer.
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"It definitely feels special to accomplish something of this magnitude," Mercier said. "Right now I'm just trying to help the team win a championship though."
Miami continued to score goals in a hurry, as freshmen Justin Vaive, Carter Camper and Tommy Wingels all put a tally on the score sheet during the second period. The Nanooks finally snapped Zatkoff's scoreless streak with just one second remaining in the period.
Wingels leads the nation in goals scored by a rookie, and is tied for fourth in the CCHA with 20 points total.
"Saturday we played 60 minutes of really great hockey and it was evident by the final outcome," Jones said.
Hoping to halt Miami's vicious scoring abilities, the Nanooks started the third period with sophomore goaltender Erik Largen; however, Largen was quickly welcomed on a Miami power play with a goal from Jones two minutes into the third period.
Jones' goal was his 22nd of the year and tied him for first in the nation with University of Michigan's Kevin Porter in goals scored.
Braden Walls closed out the Nanooks' scoring with eight minutes left in the game; however the Red and White quickly answered back, as Camper netted his second power play tally of the game, giving him 13 goals this season. Camper now has 33 points, trailing Jones by only two points for the team's lead in points.
"I just try to help out the team in any way that I can, whether it be scoring or just being a physical presence," Jones said. "At the end of the year no one is going to remember who scored the goals, but everyone will remember the team's success."
Up next for the RedHawks will arguably be the most anticipated series this season as the Wolverines will invade Steve Cady Arena for the first time. Currently the two teams are No. 1 and No. 2 in the rankings, however, Miami will be idle this coming weekend, while Michigan will play the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
"The time off gives us a chance to recover from a long trip," Blasi said. "We will continue to focus on what we do best and prepare at a high level of intensity and energy."
The puck will drop at 8:05 p.m. Feb. 8 and at 7:35 p.m. Feb. 9.
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