Miami's Justin Mercier shields the crease as he watches Nino Musitelli's second-period shot scoot by Bulldog goaltender Mitch O'Keefe for Miami's third goal in the RedHawks 7-2 victory Saturday at Steve Cady Arena. (Michael Pickering)
After falling to Clarkson a week ago, Miami University ice hockey broke out the brooms and swept the Ferris State Bulldogs right out of Oxford.
Behind his five goals, including his first career hat trick Friday, captain Ryan Jones led the RedHawks (13-5-0, 9-3-0 CCHA), who sit atop the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings.
The 'Hawks came from behind in Friday's 5-3 win and came out firing Saturday, playing one of their best games this season in a 7-2 drubbing of the Bulldogs (4-10-1, 2-8-1 CCHA) at Steve Cady Arena.
"Our goal this weekend was to play the full 60 minutes," Jones said. "We had a couple of mental lapses and that's when they got the puck in the net."
With goaltender Charlie Effinger still out while recovering from mono, Jeff Zatkoff manned the pipes for both games.
Friday night started with an early goal after Gary Steffes was in the penalty box for interference. It took the Bulldogs just 45 seconds into the power play for the Bulldogs to beat Zatkoff.
The 'Hawks couldn't find the goal in the first period as they came out sluggish, particularly offensively.
The sluggish play was benched in the second period, as the RedHawks scored three unanswered goals in the period. After missing the past few weeks with a foot injury, defenseman Kevin Roeder ignited the Miami hitting attack with several big hits.
"He's one of those players that plays with a lot of energy," said Head Coach Enrico Blasi. "Having him back was really important."
Justin Mercier added the tying Miami goal at 6:59 in the second while on the power play, as he redirected a Raymond Eichenlaub shot in midair.
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Jones scored just 22 seconds later after being perfectly setup by teammate Matt Christie.
"It's one of those things you draw up and they never work," Jones said. "Except, of course, for the one time it does."
Christie's assist marked his 100th career point, a milestone reached by only 37 players in Miami hockey history.
The third goal of the period again came on the power play as Eichenlaub fired a shot, which hit the right post and went right by Bulldogs' goaltender Mitch O'Keefe.
"Special teams are a big part of the game," Blasi said. "You got to score goals when you have the opportunity."
With the 'Hawks up 3-1, it looked like they would skate to an easy win. However, in less than two minutes, Ferris State added two goals of their own, tying the game at three.
"They came out and took it to us," Blasi said. "Ferris is a fast, quick team."
In the final period, however, Jones took control of the game. Just 4:05 into the third he gave the RedHawks a one-goal lead as he knocked the puck through a frenzy of players, crowding the crease and into the net.
Up 4-3, Jones completed his hat trick with a spectacular solo effort as he beat the Bulldogs' blue liners and O'Keefe.
Unlike Friday, the only drama from Saturday surrounded how badly the Bulldogs would be abused.
Just 17 seconds into the game, defenseman Alec Martinez initiated the onslaught when he connected on a wrist-shot for the game's first score.
"How we finished Friday night's game was exactly how we started Saturday night's game," Jones said.
Miami went up 2-0 in the first with a power-play goal by Christie. At 11:45 in the second, Nino Musitelli added his third goal of the season off a rebound.
After giving up eight goals in just over four periods, O'Keefe was pulled in favor of backup goaltender Derek Macintyre. He didn't fare any better. Jones scored two consecutive goals, the second of which initiated a three-goal third period for the 'Hawks.
"Everybody contributed tonight," Blasi said. "Even the guys who didn't score made plays leading up to goals."
Nate Davis responded from failing to notch a point in Friday's game by recording four points Saturday. His one goal and three assists gave him a nation-leading 34 points on the season.
"I'm just a product of the system," Davis said. "We're clicking on the power play and I just got on the right end of some great teamwork. It was an all around team effort."
For the weekend, the RedHawks went 7-for-16 on the power play and killed 13 of the Bulldogs' 16 man-advantages.
The lone blemish for the 'Hawks came in the third period when forward Joe Cooper got ejected for fighting.
The senior will sit out Friday's game against Ohio State in Columbus, but will be suit up for Saturday's contest in Oxford.
"With this team we sometimes lack mental preparation," Jones said. "We worked really hard in being ready this weekend and it paid off."
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