Top-ranked RedHawks extend winning streak

MU has won 23 in a row against CCHA teams after 6-2 win over Neb.-Omaha.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 2:08 AM Saturday, February 20, 2010

OXFORD — The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks came into Steve Cady Arena on a roll and they kept the pressure on all night.

But as other Central Collegiate Hockey Association teams learned earlier this month, and last month, and in December, and in November, it isn’t easy to find a chink in the armor of the Miami RedHawks.

Senior forward Jarod Palmer scored a goal and had two assists as the top-ranked RedHawks beat the visiting Mavericks 6-2 on Friday, Feb. 19, to run their winning streak to eight games and their CCHA unbeaten streak to 23 games.

“Part of our success is just keeping things simple,” Palmer said. “Whenever we see things getting fancy out there, we start getting on each other.”

You can’t get any more simple than the kind of numbers Palmer has been putting up lately. In his last 12 periods, the native of Fridley, Minn., has notched 12 points (four goals and eight assists) with four consecutive three-point games.

“Our team’s been doing a real good job of moving the puck and I’m getting a lot of nice passes,” Palmer said. “I’ve got linemates who are setting me up in every game.”

Palmer’s goal on Friday came just 1:41 into the first period and was assisted by Vincent LoVerde.

“Jarod’s one of our best players, always has been, and it’s nice to see him scoring,” said Miami coach Enrico Blasi, whose team improved to 23-4-6 overall, 20-1-4-2 in the CCHA.

Nebraska-Omaha sophomore Alex Hudson scored twice to tie the score, first after Palmer’s goal, and again late in the first period after Brandon Smith had given Miami a 2-1 lead.

Justin Vaive gave Miami a 3-2 lead, putting the RedHawks ahead for good with a goal 4:53 into the second period on assists by Joe Hartman, who finished the night with two, and Will Weber. Pat Cannone’s 10th goal later in the period doubled the RedHawks’ cushion.

In the third period, Reilly Smith and Trent Vogelhuber completed Miami’s scoring. Vogelhuber’s empty-net goal was short-handed and came with 44.3 seconds on the clock.

The Mavericks, who had gone 6-1-1 in their previous eight games, fell to 16-13-6, 12-12-3-2 in the CCHA.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.