OXFORD, Ohio - Junior center Tommy Wingels had five assists in Miami's first four games, but had not scored a goal.
On Friday, the RedHawks captain netted both of his team's goals, including a game-winner with time running down in the third period as Miami edged Michigan State, 2-1 at Cady Arena.
Wingels gave No. 1 Miami a 1-0 lead with 8:15 left in the second period when fellow junior center Pat Cannone fed him a pass to his favorite shooting spot - the center of the faceoff circle to the goalie's right.
But Cannone took a penalty soon after and the Spartans took advantage, with freshman Derek Grant scoring the equalizer less than four minutes later.
Both teams had chances on the man-advantage in the third period - three for Miami (4-0-1), two for Michigan State (3-2) - but neither team capitalized.
The game appeared it may be headed to overtime, but Wingels was not finished. Junior linemate Carter Camper dropped a pass to Wingels just inside the Michigan State attack zone, and Wingels fired a perfect wrister, beating senior goalie Bobby Jarosz on the glove side with 1:58 left in regulation.
Miami sophomore goalie Cody Reichard stopped 24 shots in the win, including a penalty shot by Andrew Rowe 49 seconds into the second period.
Camper assisted on both Wingels goals. Camper and Wingels are now tied for the team lead in points with seven.
BOTTOM LINE: The offense looked a little flat. Sophomore defenseman Matt Tomassoni missed the game because of the flu, and my theory is he isn't the only one on the team affected. The speed and offensive flow we've seen the first four games just wasn't there.
To Michigan State's credit, the team did a good job on defense, holding red-hot senior Jarod Palmer to zero points and shots. Junior Andy Miele and freshman Curtis McKenzie were also kept off the scoresheet.
GRADES
FORWARDS: C-. Only two goals against a career back-up goalie, one of which came on an extensive 5-on-3. Also, the forwards - especially early in the game - committed some key turnovers that led to Michigan State scoring chances.
DEFENSEMEN: B+. Michigan State had 25 shots, and only a couple of odd-man chances (the breakaway resulting in the penalty shot was the result of a miscue by Miami's forwards).
GOALTENDING: A. Reichard was excellent. He was 24-for-25, and had little chance on the Michigan State goal, and made several saves on good shots by the Spartans.
KEY SCRATCHES: F Steve Mason (second straight game), F Devin Mantha (third straight game - his father, former Penguins defenseman Moe Mantha - was at the game), D Matt Tomassoni (flu, first time this season), D Garrett Kennedy (hasn't played - I'm not listing him as "key" anymore).
WHO'S HOT (I think I'll make this segment a regular part of RedHawkey recaps): F Justin Vaive--The enigmatic 6-feet-6 junior dished out several big hits and played well overall on Friday. D Will Weber--The sophomore had raw talent last season, now it looks like he's learning to help on offense, play better defense and use his big body to bully players off the puck without committing penalties. G Cody Reichard--After relieving fellow sophomore goalie Connor Knapp and salvaging the tie in New Hampshire last Saturday, Reichard is now 33 of 34 in his last two appearances over 90 minutes. C Tommy Wingels--Duh.
WHO'S NOT: F Trent Vogelhuber--One point in five games. Reminds me of Nino Musitelli but contributes even less to the offense. The sophomore was hurt last season, so he got a free pass. Like Musitelli, the potential appears to be there never seems to flourish. F Gary Steffes--Pains me to put the guy in this category, but he is definitely off to a slow start. No points this season despite 16 shots and 18 Miami goals, and he's tied for second-worst in plus-minus (minus-1). He's been such a great energy guy and a positive force on this team that he should rebound, and then the thought creeps in that some hockey players peak before finishing during their college careers. Hopefully he's not in that category. D Chris Wideman--He's been a little off since the beginning of the season, and hasn't done much quarterbacking the power play. Again, good player, hopefully just a bad stretch.
SPINELL STARTS OVER TOMASSONI: So Tomassoni was out with the flu, and freshman Steve Spinell started in his place. Did OK. It's only been two games, but it seems like little bad or good happens when he's on the ice. That's not a bad thing for a defensive defenseman. He still has potential and the ice time can only help.
UNSUNG PLAY OF THE NIGHT: So senior Jarod Palmer, junior Andy Miele and freshman Curtis McKenzie are playing together. What a fun line to watch. Palmer makes a ridiculous pass to McKenzie at the Michigan State blue line, and McKenzie - in one motion - flips the puck to Miele. Miele fires a one-timer, and it hits Jarosz and trickles behind him, inches from the goal line, before being covered. If left together, the scoring chances these three will generate are unimaginable.
WHAT THE $#&*#@ MOMENT: I'm giving coach Enrico Blasi the benefit of the doubt, and also having been at the game as a patron, I'm not privy to some information that TV fans are often made aware. All I know is Cannone was assessed a penalty for trying to play defense or something, then he got a 10-minute misconduct for arguing. So Miami needs someone to serve the bench minor. Who does Blasi pick? Not Brandon Smith, not Vogelhuber, not Reilly Smith. McKenzie. The only thing I can think is that McKenzie wasn't going to be used on the penalty kill, and when Miami returned to full strength, they wanted him to come out and possibly create an immediate scoring chance. As it turned out, the Spartans took a penalty 37 seconds later, and McKenzie's services were put right to use when he came out of the box. Maybe Rico knew a penalty was coming because the Cannone call was so bad, and he was preparing for the subsequent power play.
MILESTONES: Palmer (98 points) was held scoreless on Friday. Camper had two assists, and now has 90 career points.
Leave a comment