Stellar Play By Knapp Leads Miami Into Semi's (Mentors)
Mar. 15, 2010
Connor Knapp attends the GCG Summer Prospects Camp.
OXFORD, Ohio - No. 2/1 Miami got a stellar performance in net from sophomore Connor Knapp, while Cameron Schilling and Alden Hirschfeld scored goals to lead the RedHawks to a 2-1 victory over Ohio State in a decisive Game 3 of the CCHA Quarterfinal series. With the win, the RedHawks secured a spot in the CCHA Championship Round against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Friday.
Knapp, in his first game action since the Feb. 27 regular-season finale against the eighth-seeded Buckeyes, held upset-minded visitors scoreless until 14:20, a span of 144:14 covering three games.
"We have two No. 1 goalies," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "We were very confident about Cody and we were very confident about Connor tonight. He's been pretty darn good all year long."
Hirschfeld, also a sophomore, scored his second career game-winner at 10:15 of the final period when he put Miami ahead, 2-0. Sophomore defenseman Cameron Schilling scored the first goal for the RedHawks at 9:15 of the second frame.
The teams skated to a scoreless first period. Miami controlled the pace over the opening 20 minutes, placing 10 shots on goal while limiting the Buckeyes to just two. Buckeye netminder Dustin Carlson held strong between the pipes, keeping the RedHawks off the board.
Schilling broke the tie at 9:15 of the second period to give Miami the 1-0 lead. Junior Tommy Wingels got the puck low and the left side and passed back to his classmate, Vincent LoVerde in the left faceoff circle. LoVerde crossed it to the right faceoff circle, where Schilling settled it and ripped a low wrist shot through traffic and into the back of the net.
"We did a really good job [of limiting chances] in the first and second," Blasi said. "Once we got that first one, that was huge for us. You want to be playing from the lead."
For the rest of the period, Ohio State tried to get the goal back, taking a total of 10 shots in the second frame, but Knapp blocked everything that came his way with help from the Red and White defense.
Hirschfeld added his goal at 10:15 of the final period with a low wrister from just outside the crease on the left side. Wingels had carried it into the zone and passed to Hirschfeld on the left side where the left wing took over, skated in and beat Carlson for the 2-0 lead. Schilling picked up the second assist on the play.
As time ticked off the clock, Ohio State tried desperately to get back into the game.
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