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By Rick Cassano

WORCESTER, Mass. — Call it an early jolt.

Miami University freshman Tommy Wingels scored just 19 seconds into the RedHawks' 3-2 overtime victory over the Air Force Academy on Saturday, March 29, in a first-round NCAA Northeast Regional hockey contest at the DCU Center.

It was the 15th goal of the season for Wingels, who beat Falcons goalie Andrew Volkening with the game's first shot.

"You're always looking for the best opportunity to score, whether it's on the first shift or later in the game," Wingels said. "You have to take 'em as they come."

Despite the awful start, fourth-seeded Air Force regrouped quickly and refused to back down against the No. 1 seed.

Indeed, the Falcons scored twice in the second period and held the lead until the final seven minutes of regulation.

"Their goalie played great, and their guys kept working," Wingels said. "It's exactly what we expected."

Air Force coach Frank Serratore said his game plan included a strong start for his club.

"That ended in a hurry," Serratore said. "So we had to go to Plan B. Academy kids, I'm telling you ... they're full of character, they stick together, they don't implode, they don't turn on each other. I don't have the most talent in the world to coach, but I don't have high-maintenance people, either."

Injury bug bites Davis

MU senior forward Nathan Davis has battled injuries all season and got hurt again Saturday, suffering an apparent shoulder injury in the first period.

He didn't return to the ice, and RedHawks coach Enrico Blasi said he isn't expecting Davis to play in today's regional final.

Tough in the clutch

Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff had a tough second period, watching two pucks get past him. But he never lost his cool and blanked Air Force at crunch time.

"That's kind of how I play," said Zatkoff, who made 23 saves. "I try to play a more relaxed game and not get too hyper in the net."

A mistake, a goal

RedHawks freshman Carter Camper's power-play goal tied the game at 2-2 with 6:16 left in the third period.

Miami gained the advantage because Air Force received a two-minute penalty for having too many players on the ice.

"Our player jumped off the bench early," Serratore said. "You have to be careful in those situations because if you do things like that, you give the linesman an opportunity to get involved in the game."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.