OXFORD, Ohio – Playing in their last regular season Central Collegiate Hockey Association home game, Miami RedHawk fans bid adieu to seniors Andy Nelson, Joe Cooper, Geoff Smith, Marty Guerin, and Matt Christie. With senior night and a first round playoff bye on the line, the RedHawks (20-10-4, 15-7-4 CCHA) emphatically jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first 28 minutes on the Lake Superior State Lakers (15-14-3, 9-11-3 CCHA) and then held on for dear life for the last 32 minutes, winning 3-2.

The seniors were a big reason for Miami’s early success. It took Miami 10 minutes to warm up Friday night, but the RedHawks wasted little time forcing their will Saturday evening. Miami’s play in the first period, both offensively and defensively, was as dominating of a performance as I have seen from a squad in recent memory. The Red and White were all over the ice, finishing off checks and seemingly gaining control of every lose puck. While holding the Lakers scoreless, including three penalty kills, the RedHawks outshot the Lakers 22 to 13 on their way to a 2-0 lead.

Four-year letterman Matt Christie was the first to light the red lamp thanks to a nifty pass by line mate Justin Mercier. Lakers’ forward Josh Sim was unable to handle the puck in the neutral zone, and Mercier was the benefactor. Mercier and Christie led a 2-0 attack into the offensive zone. Mercier skated to the right of Lakers’ netminder Jeff Jakaitis and he unselfishly found Christie right in front of the crease for an easy score on stick side.

“[Mercier] was a step ahead of me,” Christie said describing the play. “I thought he was going with the backhand but he slid it over to me.”

Three minutes later, the second line was at it again. After another LSSU turnover, this time in the Lakers’ zone, freshman Jarod Palmer put the RedHawks up two to nil on an unassisted, 4-on-4 goal. The goal gave Palmer 10 for the season.

Early into the second period, Nathan Davis made an incredible individual effort, skating around the front of the net patently waiting for an opening. He found a slight slit stick side and put the puck in the back of the net; however, the goal was waved off because there was a RedHawk in the crease before Davis took the shot.

Seniors Geoff Smith and Christie officially made it a 3-0 game 8:08 into the second period, cashing in on a power play opportunity. Christie skated along the left boards before setting up Smith in the slot for a stick side goal.