REDHAWKS DOMINATE TO SPLIT WEEKEND

The Miami RedHawks simply outworked and outplayed the Michigan
Wolverines in a convincing 4-1 win at Yost Ice Arena tonight. It's
the first time since Nov. 18, 1994 that Miami has won at Yost.

After a fairly even scoreless first period, the RedHawks pulled away
with three unanswered goals in the second period.

Nathan Davis got the ball rolling with a shorthanded goal 38 seconds
into the second stanza. According to the WTKA play-by-play, U-M
goalie Billy Sauer made the initial stop on Davis' breakaway, but
Davis put in the rebound since there were no Wolverines back to help
out.

Alec Martinez made it 2-0 with 3:44 left, and Davis netted his second
goal of the night on the power play with 1:35 left in the second period.

Davis would complete the hat trick with his second shorthanded
breakaway goal of the night late in the third period. Michigan
defenseman Jack Johnson would score on the power play shortly
thereafter to prevent the shutout.

The Wolverines had their fair share of chances, but did anything but
capitalize on them. Or even shoot the puck. U-M had 12 shots on goal
after two periods and ended up being outshot somewhere around 30-20.
Kevin Porter missed an open net (again). Chad Kolarik hit the
crossbar on another opportunity.

The Wolverines ended the game a pathetic 1-for-9 on the power play,
and 1-for-12 on the weekend. It seemed like everytime the Wolverines
were on the power play, it was the RedHawk penalty killers who ended
up with more shots on goal and more quality scoring chances. I swear
at least once every U-M power play I would hear Al Randall say,
"Turnover in the Michigan zone" followed by Sauer having to make a save.

Two weeks in and they're already reverting back to last year's
mistakes. Turnovers coming out of the zone is a problem that has
plagued the Wolverine defenders over the past few seasons, as are
turnovers and defensive breakdowns on the power play leading to
breakaways and odd-man rushes for the opponent. It's a problem that
needs to be corrected immediately, be it new defensive pairings or
whatever. There's no reason that much talent on defense should be
allowing two shorthanded breakaway goals in one game, on top of
several other turnovers and odd-man rushes. We have been burned way
too many times, yet continue to play with fire.

Michigan continues their homestand next weekend with a pair of
nonconference games against Northeastern.

----------------------

It'll be an interesting Red Berenson Show to listen to on Tuesday.

That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/