You didn’t have to be at Steve Cady Arena Friday night to know how the Wolverines played.

The game was so similar to last Friday’s 2-1 loss to Western Michigan, they were almost identical in nature.

The only difference is this time the Wolverines were shut out.

No. 7 Miami(7-3-3) took game one of this weekend’s series, 2-0 over
No. 9 Michigan (8-5 overall, 5-4-0-0 CCHA). The RedHawks played a nearly flawless defensive game to shut out Michigan for the second time this season.

Miami took a 1-0 lead to open the scoring midway through the second period. The RedHawk’s Andy Miele had the puck behind the net and was being defended by sophomore Scooter Vaughan.

But Vaughan couldn’t stop the forward from deking Billy Sauer behind the net, faking the wrap around to Sauer’s right only to stick it in on the senior’s left side.

The goal opened the scoring for the RedHawks in an evenly matched period, differentiated only by a couple bad defensive plays by the Wolverines, including two turnovers that created great scoring chances stopped by Billy Sauer.

Senior Travis Turnbull appeared to score a goal with 26 seconds remaining, but it was waved off because three Wolverines were in the crease.

Michigan’s best chances came with around 11 minutes remaining in the second period. Junior Brian Lebler had a chance with the goalie down, but couldn’t get the puck though a bunch of traffic in front of the net.

Later in the period, freshman Robbie Czarnik nearly got lucky on an attempt from the far side of Miami goalie Cody Richard, which was nearly tipped in by a RedHawk defender.

Michigan’s play has been similar to its other Friday night games. The Wolverines had a tough time getting the puck in to the slot and getting past the Miami defense in the blue line. The Wolverines dumped the puck in too much, getting frustrated by a RedHawk defense that kept the area in front of Richard clear of Wolverines.

Miele added Miami’s second tally with a tip in off a point shot by the Red Hawk’s Gary Steffes. The goal gave Miami a two-goal cushion that it didn’t give up, shutting down all of the Wolverines chances in the third.

In fact Michigan was badly outplayed in the period, notching just four shots against 10 for the RedHawks and didn’t register a quality scoring chance all period.

The first period was a back and forth affair, but didn’t result in any scoring.

Michigan started the game with momentum, partly due to a quick RedHawk penalty just 12 seconds into the game. The Wolverines outshot Miami 7-2 in the first seven minutes before the RedHawks took control of the game after two Michigan penalties to sophomores Ben Winnett for obstruction and Tristin Llewellyn for tripping.

The penalties gave Miami a 5-on-3 power play, and though the
Wolverines struggled to clear the puck from their defensive zone, they kept the game scoreless.

Sauer made 13 saves in the period, including some nice stops on re-directions that kept Michigan in the game.

While both goaltenders were tested in the period. It was the defenses that really shined. Michigan blocked several shots while down two men and Miami did a good job keeping the Michigan attackers from receiving the puck in front of Reichard.

Michigan will look to even the series with the RedHawks tomorrow night at 7:35.