'Quiet confidence' propels RedHawks past Buckeyes

Miami falls behind 2-1 but rallies with four-goal outburst in second period to score 6-2 win.

A shot at the goal by Miami's Andy Miele is blocked by Ohio State's Dustin Carlson during the first period of the CCHA Tournament at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio Friday March 12, 2010.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman A shot at the goal by Miami's Andy Miele is blocked by Ohio State's Dustin Carlson during the first period of the CCHA Tournament at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio Friday March 12, 2010.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer 11:57 PM Friday, March 12, 2010

OXFORD — What started as “a quiet confidence” turned into a barrage of goals for Miami University’s hockey team Friday night, March 12.

The RedHawks, down 2-1 after one period against visiting Ohio State, ripped off four goals in the second stanza and buried the Buckeyes 6-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament at Steve Cady Arena.

Carter Camper tallied the tying and go-ahead goals for Miami (25-5-7), which will try to sweep the best-of-three quarterfinal series today at 7:05 p.m.

“We had a weekend off last week, and we don’t want to use that as an excuse, but maybe it took us a while to get focused,” said Camper, a junior forward. “We’ve had a long season. We’ve matured a lot.”

Camper said the first intermission wasn’t loud or panicky, and the top-seeded RedHawks returned to the ice with vigor. Camper scored just 17 seconds into the second stanza and notched his 50th career goal just under six minutes later.

“It was a quiet confidence,” Camper said. “Everybody knew what we had to do.”

Hunter Bishop’s two goals gave the eighth-seeded Buckeyes (14-17-6) their lead. Andy Miele scored twice for Miami, and Jarod Palmer and Alden Hirschfeld added one goal apiece.

“That was huge,” Miele said of Camper’s tying goal. “I was telling Carter after he scored that I was screaming so loud I almost fainted on the bench. It’s always a momentum builder when you score in the first minute of a period or last minute of a period.”

MU coach Enrico Blasi said he felt no urge to blast his players after they fell behind.

“There was no reason to get all excited for something that they already know they have to do,” Blasi said. “It’s funny. When you work hard, good things happen.”

The RedHawks were 2-of-6 on the power play, while OSU was 0-of-7. Miami had a 42-28 advantage in shots.

Ohio State goaltender Dustin Carlson (22 saves) gave up five goals before he was replaced by Cal Heeter (14 saves). MU’s Cody Reichard made 26 saves.

“I thought we got outmuscled,” OSU coach John Markell said. “They go into battle with a purpose. If our guys take a slight chance that they might not, it’s not going to work for you.”

Palmer (2), Miele (2), Hirschfeld, Reilly Smith (2), Tommy Wingels (2), Cameron Schilling (2) and Pat Cannone collected assists for the RedHawks.

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