Miami scored two empty-net goals
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The NMU hockey team dropped game two of the weekend series against (RV/RV) Miami (OH) 4-1.
After holding the RedHawks off the scoreboard and posting a perfect 6/6 on the penalty kill last night, Miami opened the scoring late in the first period with a power-play goal from Matous Kucharcik. A scoreless second period came and went, and at the 8:46 mark of the third period, Austin Baker added another power-play tally for the RedHawks, giving his team a two-goal cushion.
The third consecutive power-play goal was scored 10 minutes later, this time off the stick of the Wildcats. Goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton vacated the net for a six-on-four advantage; a point shot from Evan Depatie was deflected by Merril Steenari, and the ‘Cats were within one with two minutes to spare.
A pair of empty-net goals from Matteo Giampa and Bradley Walker sealed the deal for the RedHawks, and Miami escaped being swept on opening weekend.
Steenari, the sophomore forward transfer from Colorado College, collected the first goal of his collegiate career after getting good positioning in front of the net. Depatie earned his first collegiate point with a primary assist, and junior forward Grayden Slipec was credited with the secondary assist to round out the Wildcat scoring.
Sophomore netminder Auyeung-Ashton dazzled in his second start of the season, making 26 saves from the 28 shots he faced and posting a .929 SV% from 58 minutes and nine seconds of playing time.
In the game, the RedHawks outshot the Wildcats 30-19, including 60 attempts to 45. The RedHawks took advantage of its man-up opportunities, going 2/4 (50%) on the power play and scoring both of its non-empty-net goals on the power play. The Wildcats went 1/3 (33.3%) on its chances.
Faceoffs and blocked shots were almost dead even for both sides, with the Wildcats holding the edge in faceoffs (23-22) and the RedHawks holding the narrow edge in blocked shots (16-15). Coster Dunn (8/15, 53.3%) won the most draws of any forward tonight, and Noah Houle blocked four shots, matching Miami’s David Helledy for most on the evening.
The Wildcats now look ahead to the second of its three non-conference series to open the 50th season campaign, as the Green and Gold head to the state’s capital to face off against the highly-ranked Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans defeated Boston College 5-2 in an exhibition contest on October 2, and the weekend will be the first regular-season contest for MSU.
The Wildcats and Spartans are slated for Friday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Sunday, October 11, at 1 p.m. ET, at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan.
