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Streaking 'Hawks sink Lakers

Senior Justin Vaive celebrates with junior Alden Hirschfeld and senior Vincent LoVerde after a goal against Western Michigan on Friday, Feb. 11
Senior Justin Vaive celebrates with junior Alden Hirschfeld and senior Vincent LoVerde after a goal against Western Michigan on Friday, Feb. 11

Alex Butler, Senior Staff Writer

Senior Justin Vaive celebrates with junior Alden Hirschfeld and senior Vincent LoVerde after a goal against Western Michigan on Friday, Feb. 11 (MICHAEL GRIGGS | The Miami Student)

Fifty-nine days have passed since the Miami University hockey team last lost a game. The Red and White extended that streak with an emphatic sweep of the Lake Superior State University Lakers (LSSU) with an 8-1 thrashing Friday night and a 4-1 victory Saturday.

"It's huge for us," senior Andy Miele said. "Earlier in the season, Lake State went out west and they played good against some pretty high ranked teams. To get those two wins, not only for our confidence but to keep this non-loss streak going is big for us."

Confidence is a vital trait for a RedHawks team looking to make the NCAA tournament cut with a pristine performance in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) tournament starting March 4 and 5.

The No. 11 'Hawks earned a first-round bye and will take the ice looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games at 7:35 p.m. March 11.

"Obviously we want to win the Mason Cup," Miele said. "Miami has never done it as a hockey program. We are going to take it one weekend at a time, so we'll get this first round over with and go from there."

Miele and senior Vincent LoVerde were named CCHA Players of the Week following the sweep. Miele and senior Carter Camper finished the season in first and second place in points nationally.

Camper scored two goals and had one assist over the weekend while Miele managed two scores and a trio of helpers. Sophomore Reilly Smith scored three times and had two assists for the RedHawks (19-9-6, 16-7-5-2 CCHA).

Goaltenders Cody Reichard and Connor Knapp stonewalled the Lakers (10-15-9, 8-12-8-5 CCHA). Each surrendered one score over the weekend, with Reichard getting 20 saves and Knapp stopping 26.

"It was a long trip up there and we wanted to come out quick," Camper said. "We were able to and kind of built on that Friday night. Saturday, we knew they would come out harder and we knew we needed to answer that. Definitely huge wins for us before the tournament."

Just last season, the Red and White earned the No. 1 seed in the CCHA tournament and were primed for the future.

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"It's a bit different," Camper said. "Last year we won so much during the year going into the CCHA. We were kind of relieved to get to the NCAA tournament. This year we are excited. We are starting to play our best hockey. It's a different feeling this year. We are going into the CCHA tournament playing well and we have to fight to get into the tournament. It's a different feeling, but it's better for us."

RedHawks fans can vote for Miele and Camper for college hockey's top individual accolade, the Hobey Baker Award, at HobeyBakerAward.com.

Being considered one of college hockey's top players has been a great experience for the dangerous duo, but neither have lost sight of the mission ahead.

"It's unbelievable," Miele said. "I've never thought I'd be up for something like that. I'm just trying to enjoy it while it lasts, but the only thing I'm worried about is getting our team to the national tournament."

The winner of the award will be announced during the Frozen Four, where the Red and White hope to still be skating.

"It's cool," Camper said. "It's an individual award, but we feel the same way. We would much rather talk about winning the national championship. It's something Miami has never been able to do, so that's our goal."


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