Miami rebounds with win, likely locks up top seed in NCAA tourney

RedHawks edge Ferris State 2-1 in CCHA third-place game

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 9:26 PM Saturday, March 20, 2010

OXFORD — One of the all-time great consolation prizes awaits the Miami University hockey team.

The RedHawks edged Ferris State 2-1 in the third-place game of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament on Saturday, March 20 at Joe Louis Arena. But there was more at stake than third place.

People both inside and outside Miami’s athletic department who have crunched the numbers say that victory, coupled with top-ranked Denver’s 6-3 loss to Wisconsin, should result in the RedHawks being awarded the overall top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m extremely proud,” said Miami coach Enrico Blasi, whose team bounced back from a 5-2 loss to Michigan in the semifinals less than 24 hours earlier. “If we know the numbers right ... If we end up being the No. 1 seed overall, it’s a pretty good season.”

The NCAA hockey selection show will be broadcast at 11:30 a.m., today, March 21 on ESPN2.

The RedHawks are scheduled to gather at the Brick Street bar and restaurant in Oxford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to watch the show and learn their fate.

Senior Jarod Palmer scored the decisive goal on Saturday, his 18th of the season, with 4:04 remaining in the third quarter with assists from Chris Wideman and Andy Miele.

“It was a great face-off won by Andy Miele,” Palmer said. “It was a scrambled play. It was pushed up the middle and I got lucky.”

“It’s the timely goals you have to score,” Blasi said, “and we’ve been pretty good at scoring timely goals all year.”

Sophomore Connor Knapp needed only 12 saves with the help of a stellar defense to put second-ranked Miami (27-7-7) back into the winning column.

Knapp, who had replaced Cody Reichard in goal during the third period on Friday, wasn’t the only change in Miami’s lineup on Saturday.

Freshman Steve Mason got a chance to play, and he responded by scoring the first goal of his career to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead 4:44 into the second period. Seldom-used seniors Dane Hetland and Gary Steffes also played on Mason’s line; Hetland assisted on the goal as did Wideman, who finished with two assists.

“We knew we’d be hunting for some energy due to the late game we played last night,” Blasi said. “It’s not too often that a coach looks smart, but maybe that was a good decision by our staff.”

“A tough loss for us,” said Ferris State coach Bob Daniels. “We came out tentative and stayed tentative until Miami scored the first goal. Then we shifted gears.”

The Bulldogs (21-13-16) tied the score at 1-1 on a goal by Casey Haines 10 minutes after Mason’s goal.

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