“I thought our energy and our focus was there right off the bat,” said MU coach Enrico Blasi, whose team improved to 6-2-1 overall and 3-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. “I thought our special teams were really good, and I thought our guys did a good job of playing all three zones.”
Miami was 3-for-8 on the power play and snapped a 1-1 deadlock on Barber’s goal with 15:08 left in the second period. The hosts eventually built their lead to 5-1 and outshot the Wildcats 36-20.
“We changed our practices up a little bit,” Barber said. “We practiced power play twice this week instead of once, and I think it really helped because we got some good reps. We just came out with the mentality to outwork the penalty kill, so it was great.”
Blasi said more special-teams work was possible because Miami was at home and didn’t have to travel on Thursday.
“Our power play was obviously the difference,” Blasi said. “I thought our PK did a nice job of limiting their chances and blocking shots.”
“I think tonight we came out as a team,” said Austin Czarnik, who had a goal and two assists for the RedHawks. “Everybody was working from the first shift, and it showed out there. We got some good bounces, and we were able to bury our chances.”
Curtis McKenzie also scored for Miami. Barber collected two assists, and Caito, Jimmy Mullin and Blake Coleman chipped in one apiece.
Czarnik’s tally was his third short-handed goal of the young season. He scored on a breakaway with 5:22 remaining.
“I think it’s just hard work,” Czarnik said. “We’re working hard in our zone, and we’re getting rewarded on it.”
Jay Williams went the distance in goal for MU and notched 18 saves. Blasi said he’ll get the start again tonight as Ryan McKay continues to nurse a leg injury.
“If we needed him, he’d play,” Blasi said of McKay, who’s allowed one goal in nearly 130 minutes of action. “We want to make sure that this isn’t going to be something that’ll linger down the road.”
D.J. Vandercook and C.J. Ludwig scored the goals for Northern Michigan (4-4-1, 1-3-1). Assists went to Stephan Vigier, Ryan Daugherty, Reed Seckel and Mitch Jones.
Jared Coreau gave up four goals and made 24 saves for the Wildcats before Michael Doan (seven saves) finished in net.
The series finale will begin today at 7:05.
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