MiddletownJournal.com

DETROIT — The Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament championship has once again eluded Miami University.

The RedHawks reached the brink of CCHA glory Saturday night, March 22, but they're still searching for their first-ever tournament crown after losing to top-ranked Michigan 2-1 in the title game at Joe Louis Arena.

"Usually it comes down to a team executing one or two more plays than the other team, and that's exactly what happened tonight," MU coach Enrico Blasi said. "Our guys had chances. Whether it be not executing or a little bit of poise, I don't know exactly what was the case."

Miami outshot the Wolverines 28-26 (21-12 in the first two periods), but couldn't get the best of Michigan goaltender Billy Sauer until Alec Martinez scored with 38.6 seconds remaining.

Sauer totaled 27 saves for the Wolverines (31-5-4), who have clinched the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The 16-team field and pairings will be announced this morning.

The RedHawks (32-7-1) will be seeded second overall in the national tourney and receive a top seed in whichever regional they're sent to. North Dakota and New Hampshire also are expected to be No. 1 seeds in the four-regional event.

"Win or lose, we had to put this game behind us," MU senior forward Ryan Jones said. "We couldn't get down or we couldn't get too excited if we won the game. We've just got to keep working hard. That's one thing this team will keep doing. We're going to work hard for 60 minutes, and if the other team isn't willing to do that, we're going to capitalize."

Michigan opened the scoring at the 7:38 mark of the second period when Aaron Palushaj took a centering pass from Matt Rust and slapped the puck past Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff (24 saves).

Brandon Naurato added what proved to be the game-winning tally with 10 minutes left. Sauer did have one breakdown on the Martinez goal, but he was mostly unbeatable before an enthusiastic, pro-Wolverine crowd of 17,213.

"When goalies are playing well, they make it look easy," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Billy was smooth tonight. He was comfortable.

"We feel fortunate," he added. "Miami's a great team, and they played really well. There was a part of the game where it looked like it was going to go in their favor. Billy Sauer made a couple point-blank saves early in the second period."

Sauer was glad to face 21 shots in the opening two periods.

"When you don't see the puck too much early, it's hard to get in a groove," Sauer said. "Tonight, right off the bat, I had a feeling it was going to be a good night."

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