OXFORD, Ohio - When Miami updates its individual records for next season's media guide, it may want to consider devoting a chapter to Cody Reichard.
The sophomore goalie stopped 33 shots as No. 1 Miami shut out Lake Superior State, 2-0 at Cady Arena on Friday.
The shutout was the fifth of the season for Reichard, establishing a new team record. Reichard passed David Burleigh, who blanked four teams in 2002-03.
Sophomore goalie Cody Reichard makes one of his 33 saves on Friday (Cathy White/CNATI.com).
After a strong showing in the first couple of minutes of the game, Miami (19-4-6) was outplayed by Lake Superior State (14-10-5) for the majority of the first period. The RedHawks were outshot, 17-10, and could not get set up in the offensive zone on their one power play.
But junior center Carter Camper scored with nine seconds left in the opening stanza to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
Miami looked stronger in the final two periods, and the defense tightened up. The RedHawks took 22 shots in the second and third periods to the Lakers' 16.
In the final nine minutes of regulation, Lake Superior State took three minor penalties, and although the RedHawks did not score on any of them, they killed off valuable time.
Senior forward Jarod Palmer cleared the puck in the final seconds, and junior center Andy Miele skated the length of the ice to tap the puck into the empty net just before the final horn.
Miami's unbeaten streak in the CCHA is now 19 games (15-0-4). The RedHawks have allowed 23 goals in 21 conference games - an average of 1.10 goals per game.
Reichard's already ridiculous stats improved even more. His goals-against average is now 1.39, best in the country, and 1.06 in conference play. He has a .952 save percentage in CCHA games.
Reichard moved into a tie with Dan Kodatsky and Jeff Zatkoff for second all-time in career shutouts by a Miamian with seven, although he is still just a sophomore and has rotated with fellow sophomore Connor Knapp most of his two seasons at Miami.
Miami's record for team shutouts in a season was previous four. The RedHawks have eight this season.
BOTTOM LINE: Miami did look flat in the first period, but the team did enough to win against another stall-hockey opponent.
The game was one of the most boring of the season to watch, but Reichard was incredible and the red-hot Camper-Tommy Wingels combination provided the offense.
Miami struggled with its passing and committed too many turnovers, which is typical when the RedHawks play either team from the You Pee.
Unfortunately the RedHawks barely drew 2,000 for this game as the snowstorm and hazardous road conditions kept many fans away.
GRADES
FORWARDS: C-. Two goals and 27 shots, with one being an empty-netter, and too many turnovers.
Miele, who has been outstanding all season and still played well overall, had three bad ones in the second period alone.
DEFENSEMEN: A-. There's the matter of the 17 shots allowed in the first period, and the blueliners were kept off the scoresheet and managed just five shots.
Junior Vincent LoVerde blocked five more shots, giving him 58 on the season, and he continued his outstanding play in his own end. Freshman Joe Hartman and sophomore Cameron Schilling also had strong defensive games.
GOALTENDING: A+. It was Reichard's fifth shutout of the season, but this may have been his best performance of the season. He faced tough shots in the first period and controlled his rebounds well, and was in great position the entire game.
He had to stop 33 shots tonight - the first time he blanked a team on more than 25 shots. In his previous shutouts he faced 15, 24, 17 and 23 shots on goal.
LINEUP CHANGES: Freshman forward Devin Mantha had played five of the last six games, but he sat on Friday, as did fellow frosh Steve Mason.
Seniors Brandon Smith and Gary Steffes were in the lineup. Smith had sat out two straight games, and Steffes was benched last Saturday.
On defense, freshman Steven Spinell was a scratch after playing three of the last four games, and sophomore Cameron Schilling returned to the lineup after missing his first game of the season last Saturday.
Sophomore Matt Tomassoni played his seventh straight game, and he was a defenseman on Friday.
The goaltender rotation should continue, with Knapp getting the start on Saturday.
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