The Michigan hockey team knew this weekend’s series against Miami (Ohio) was a big one. Win and get back in the hunt for the CCHA championship, if it got swept it would find itself struggling to make the NCAA Tournament.

And though the Wolverines had to wait a day before they could face off against the RedHawks, they made sure that this opportunity wouldn’t go to waste.

The Wolverines (14-7-0 overall, 8-5-0-0 CCHA) played a dominating opening period and then shut down the offense in the last two periods to skate away with a 5-1 win over Miami (12-6-3 overall, 10-2-2-1 CCHA).

No.10 Michigan opened the scoring just 28 seconds into the game with a rebound goal by junior acting captain Chris Summers. Sophomore forward Louie Caporusso whiffed at the puck, getting Miami’s goalie Cody Reichard out of position and Summers buried the shot above the sprawling goalie.

To say Reichard had a rough first period is an understatement. On his next goal allowed, Miami defenseman Will Weber deflected a rebound given up by the RedHawk goaltender into his own net. Though freshman defenseman Brandon Burlon took the initial shot on goal, he has to thank the Miami blue-liners for that one.

After giving up such a quick two-goal deficit, No. 6 Miami probably knew things weren’t on their side.

The first period onslaught continued with another rebound goal, this time from senior forward Brandon Naurato. After corralling a rebound, Naurato tried to punch home a rebound through traffic. Though the RedHawks stopped his initial chance, Naurato nailed home his second opportunity into the back of the net.

That was all for Reichard, as the Miami coaching staff pulled him in favor of Connor Knapp.

But Michigan continued to pile on the goals. After 10 minutes of even play by both teams, Miami appeared to have mitigated the damage and was on the power play heading into the final seconds of the opening period.

But the Michigan sophomore forwards Matt Rust and Carl Hagelin hooked up for the last goal of the first period to increase Michigan’s lead to 4-0. After winning a faceoff in the Miami zone, Rust took a shot that rebounded off the goalie, and Hagelin shot a backhander past Knapp to give Michigan its third shorthanded goal of the season.

The RedHawk goaltenders struggled all period to corral rebounds, all four of Michigan’s goals came on second chance opportunities.
Though the RedHawks got on the scoreboard in the second period,

Michigan did enough to keep the game on an even keel. Though Miami took a 21-14 advantage with shots on goal, both teams enjoyed about the same number of scoring opportunities

Miami’s Trent Vogelhuber scored the lone goal of the period to make the game 4-1 in favor of Michigan, but sophomore goalie Bryan Hogan made some good saves to preserve the lead in front of a desperate Miami team.

Even when Hogan did give up rebounds, the Michigan defense, rejuvenated by the return of junior Steve Kampfer, was there to sweep them away.

Michigan added another goal in the third period off a nice wrist shot by junior Brian Lebler. Senior Tim Miller won a faceoff directly to Lebler, who sniped the puck into the top left corner of the net.

Both teams will square off again tomorrow afternoon at Yost Ice Arena. Anyone who had tickets to Friday night’s game can use them tomorrow and refunds to the game are allowed.