RedHawks tune up for season with 6-2 exhibition win

REDHAWKS HOCKEY: No. 1-ranked Miami gets two goals from senior Jarod Palmer in topping Windsor.

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By Rick Cassano Ken Gordon, Staff Writer The Columbus Dispatch Updated 1:36 PM Sunday, October 4, 2009

OXFORD — The Miami University hockey team is back in business.

The RedHawks, voted No. 1 in the preseason USA Today/USA Hockey Coaches poll, hit the ice Saturday night, Oct. 3, for their lone exhibition game heading into the 2009-10 campaign.

MU showed plenty of promise before a crowd of 2,831 at Steve Cady Arena, getting two goals from senior Jarod Palmer in a 6-2 triumph over Windsor (Canada).

“We’ve only really practiced six times,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said. “I thought the guys executed for the most part pretty good. The effort was certainly there. I like this team.”

He said this RedHawk squad could very well be quicker and more skilled than last year’s unit, which finished as the Division I national runner-up following a stunning overtime loss to Boston.

One of the newcomers, freshman Reilly Smith, tallied Saturday’s first goal midway through the first period.

“It was absolutely remarkable,” said Smith, who hails from Mimico, Ontario. “I’ve been waiting to play for two months. As soon as the puck went in the back of the net, I couldn’t even speak.”

Alden Hirschfeld, Andy Miele and Tommy Wingels also scored for Miami, with assists going to Gary Steffes (2), Trent Vogelhuber (2), Carter Camper, Vincent LoVerde, Hirschfeld, Miele, Smith and Palmer. Cody Reichard and Connor Knapp split time between the pipes, and both allowed a goal.

Blasi was understandably low-key about entering the season as the top-ranked team in the land.

“Our culture is all about focus and taking it day by day,” Blasi said. “It’s great that people recognize us, but we know it’s a process we have to go through.”

Palmer said the national championship defeat, which saw Boston score twice in the last minute of regulation to force OT, has lingered. But he also said the offseason has been marked by hard work.

“As far as the work ethic and excitement, I’ve never seen a harder-working group of guys,” Palmer said. “That helped set the tempo.”

The RedHawks open the season Friday, hosting St. Cloud State for the start of a two-game series.

»Follow the ’Hawks all season long Journal-News.com/miami

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