OSU tops Miami in OT to even series

’Hawks force OT with two goals in final 3:02, but Bucks capture 5-4 win to set up tonight’s Game 3.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 1:50 PM Sunday, March 14, 2010

OXFORD — All signs pointed to a stirring comeback victory for Miami University’s hockey team Saturday night, March 13.

But it didn’t happen.

The RedHawks forced overtime with two goals in the last 3:02 of regulation against visiting Ohio State, then watched the Buckeyes’ Sergio Somma throw a wet blanket on their celebration plans at Steve Cady Arena.

Somma scored on a rebound 6:35 into OT, giving No. 8 seed Ohio State a 5-4 triumph and evening the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament quarterfinal series at 1-1.

“They did a great job,” MU coach Enrico Blasi said. “Probably in the big scheme of things they deserved to win the game with the effort they put forth. We had to really fight back to just get it into overtime.”

The top-seeded RedHawks erased a 3-0 deficit, the first three-goal hole they’ve been in all year, and outshot the Buckeyes 46-21 (40-12 after the first period).

The rubber match is all that remains in this best-of-three series. The puck will drop today at 7:05 p.m.

“We competed a lot better tonight,” OSU coach John Markell said. “They force you to raise the level of your play. Our guys are capable. As far as what you try to teach the kids, it’s to stay at that level, stay at that intensity. We’re going to have to be able to sustain that (tonight).”

Pat Cannone scored twice for Miami, including the tying goal with 1:20 left in regulation. Teammate Vincent LoVerde had cut the gap to 4-3 with 3:02 remaining.

The RedHawks’ house was rocking, but Somma put an end to the euphoria in OT when he completed a 3-on-1 break by slapping the puck past MU goaltender Cody Reichard.

“It happened quick,” said Somma, a junior forward from Pittsburgh. “(Peter Boyd) got a good shot off the pad. I was just going hard, and I just kind of whacked one in. Nothing really special there.”

And his reaction to the goal?

“We live to fight another day,” Somma said. “Now it’s a one-game shot, so anything can happen.”

Blasi’s explanation was simply this: “We had a poor decision, and they capitalized.”

Markell liked the way his troops regrouped before sudden-death play began.

“The time ended at the right time,” Markell said. “I thought we did a good job of regathering ourselves.”

Reichard made 16 saves in his second straight night in goal for Miami (25-6-7). Dustin Carlson also got his second consecutive start and rang up 42 saves for Ohio State (15-17-6).

Trent Vogelhuber had a goal for the RedHawks. Zac Dalpe, Patrick Schafer, Hunter Bishop and Matt Bartkowski all scored for OSU.

The CCHA’s other three quarterfinal series ended Saturday. If Miami wins today, it will play No. 7 Michigan in the semifinals Friday in Detroit. If Ohio State wins, it will advance to meet No. 3 Ferris State.

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