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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 1:18 AM Saturday, March 20, 2010

DETROIT — It’s been a tough tournament for Miami University sophomore goalie Cody Reichard, who was named as the RBC Financial Group Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year.

Reichard, who has led the nation in goals-against average all year, had not allowed five goals in a game during the regular season.

Now he has done it in back-to-back starts in the CCHA tournament, in Miami’s 5-4 overtime loss in the middle game of the second-round series against Ohio State and again Friday night, March 19, in the 5-2 loss to Michigan in the semifinals at Joe Louis Arena.

With 12:43 remaining, after the Wolverines had scored their third goal in less tghan 3 minutes, Miami coach Rico Blasi pulled Richard and replaced him with Connor Knapp — who had started in goal for the RedHawks in their 2-1 win which clinched the series over Ohio State.

“I’m sure Cody is very upset with the way he played the game,” Blasi said during the post-game press conference. “We had to get him out of there. He’s too good a person (to leave on the ice in that situation).”

It was a much different outcome for Michigan junior Shawn Hunwick, who had been the team’s seldom-used backup until starter Bryan Hogan was injured late in the regular season.

Hunwick stopped 20 of the 22 shots the RedHawks sent his way.

NCAA? What NCAA?

Even though Michigan would have no chance of earning a 20th straight NCAA appearance without a strong showing in the CCHA playoffs, Michigan coach Red Berenson didn’t make that a focus for his team.

“We haven’t even talked about the NCAA tournament,” he said. “Last week we talked about Michigan State. This week we talked about Miami.”

Michigan swept Michigan State in last weekend’s second round.

Trend continues

Miami now stands 0-5 against Michigan in the postseason, all games having been played in the CCHA tournament.

The Wolverines bested the RedHawks 6-2 in the 1996 semifinals in Detroit, swept Miami 5-1 and 3-0 in the 1996 quarterfinals in Ann Arbor, and edged the RedHawks 2-1 in the 2008 title game at The Joe.

In those five post-season games Michigan has outscored Miami 21-6.

This and that

Pat Cannone, Chris Wideman and Andy Miele each had an assist for the RedHawks ... Blasi said he had to give Michigan credit. “We either were going to play our game or Michigan was going to dictate the way the game was played. You guys know what happened.”

Hanson game-winner

Gregor Hanson’s goal at the 1:07 mark of overtime propelled Northern Michigan into the championship game by giving his team a 5-4 victory over Ferris State.

Ray Kanisto had two goals for Northern, both in the second period.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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