Fourth-ranked Miami University exerted their power over visiting Ferris State University 5-3. An announced attendance of 3,436 witnessed team captain Ryan Jones’ first collegiate career hat trick. With the win, the RedHawks improved to 9-2-0 in the brand-new, $34.8 million state-of-the-art, Steve Cady Arena.
With the score locked at three entering the final stanza, Jones appeared to will his team to victory, scoring two even-strength goals. After the game, RedHawks head coach Enrico Blasi said, “Jones sensed something needed to be done and stepped up.”
4:05 into the third, Jones tapped in the game winner in front of a crowded net. After a lengthy review, the goal was counted. When asked if he was nervous the goal was going to be overturned, Jones said, “I really didn’t see the puck. I kept poking at [the puck]. It was sitting on [O’Keefe’s] pad, hit one of their players, and went in. The [referee] was reviewing the play for a long time; you always worry.”
Leading by one 11:16 into the third, Jones gave the Red-and-White breathing room with a dazzling shot past goalie Mitch O’Keefe’s stick-side.
After surrendering a rare short-handed goal (Miami is ranked first nationally in penalty-killing efficiency), the RedHawks scored three unanswered goals to start the second period, taking a 3-1 lead. All three goals were products of the team’s power-play unit, which has been responsible for approximately half of Miami’s offense this season. Defenseman Matt Case scored on a 5-on-3 man advantage and Jones gave Miami the lead 32 seconds later. After assisting Case on a goal, defenseman Ray Eichenlaub scored on a man-advantage to give the RedHawks a two-goal lead.
Although Miami dominated most of the second period, Ferris State was not to be denied. Trailing by two with fewer than three minutes remaining in the second, FSU fought back with two goals. Senior defenseman Joe Van Culin netted an even-strength goal at 17:25, and less than two minutes later, left-winger Dan Riedel netted the game at three with a four-on-four goal.
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