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Miami finds itself in goaltender quandary

Both RedHawks goalies playing well as Miami prepares for Friday’s CCHA Final Four.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 7:43 AM Tuesday, March 16, 2010

OXFORD — Miami University’s quest for its first Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament championship will continue Friday night, March 19, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Who will be the RedHawks’ goaltender when they hit the ice to face Michigan? Suddenly that’s not so clear.

Sophomore Cody Reichard has been MU’s No. 1 goalie all year, but classmate Connor Knapp has played a lot as well and appears to have the hotter stick and glove at this point.

“We’ve got two No. 1 goalies,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said. “We’re very confident in Cody, and we’re very confident in Connor. Sometimes the good Lord works in mysterious ways because now he’s making us think again about what we’re going to have to do going down the stretch.”

Blasi was speaking after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Ohio State, which clinched the RedHawks’ advancement to “The Joe.” Knapp totaled 22 saves in that win, and Blasi was quick to point out that the York, N.Y., native’s performance didn’t just come out of the blue.

“It’s not like Connor has only played a few games this year,” said Blasi, noting that Knapp also blanked OSU on Feb. 27. “We’ve split all year, so I don’t think you should be surprised. To make a big deal out of that, I don’t know that it’s fair to Connor. He’s been pretty darn good all year.”

Reichard, a Celina native, was between the pipes in the series’ first two contests, allowing seven goals. He gave up a career-high five scores in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Buckeyes.

Reichard is 18-3-3 with a .930 save percentage and a 1.64 goals-against average this year. Knapp’s numbers are 8-3-4, .920 and 1.96.

Ohio State coach John Markell believes Blasi has a big decision to make.

“It’s a good situation to be in,” Markell said. “Obviously, he’s going to want to run with a hot goalie, and which one’s hot? At this time of the year, anybody will tell you it comes down to goaltending.”

Markell probably knows Miami better than any coach in America, having faced the RedHawks seven times this year (going 1-5-1). He was asked Sunday if he thought MU had the look of a national championship squad.

“They certainly have the firepower up front ... they have a big, strong team,” Markell said. “Do they have the makings of a championship team? I hope so. Not many teams go through the CCHA (regular season) losing two games. Think about that. That’s a pretty good combination. Hopefully they can carry it forward for our league.”

CCHA Final Four

What: Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament

Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

Friday’s semifinals: Third-seeded Ferris State (21-11-6) vs. No. 4 Northern Michigan (19-11-8), 4:35 p.m.; No. 1 Miami (26-6-7) vs. No. 7 Michigan (23-17-1), 8:05 p.m.

Saturday’s finals: Consolation, 3:35 p.m.; championship, 7:35 p.m

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