The Miami University and Ohio State matchup is quickly becoming one of the best rivalries in college hockey. After three periods of passionate hockey, an additional five minute overtime period was not enough to determine a winner. The clubs walked away with a 4-4 tie. After a hard fought battle, it almost seemed fitting that neither team lost. It was the fourth game this season between the intrastate rivals and second game that ended in a tie.
After the game, both coaches seemed relieved to come away with a point in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings. RedHawks’ coach Enrico Blasi said, “Any time you’re on the road and get a point, that’s a positive.”
OSU’s coach John Markell shared similar sentiments, “We were down 3-1, and we battled back. We did what was necessary to get the point.”
Miami had leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before allowing Ohio State two unanswered goals. With a commanding 4-2 lead late in the second period, it appeared that Miami would put the game away with an OSU penalty. Miami leads the CCHA with 27 power play goals, scoring at a 25% rate. OSU’s senior forward Mathieu Beaudoin had other plans. Beaudoin scored a shorthanded breakaway goal, pulling the Buckeyes within a goal. That marked the Buckeyes 10th shorthanded goal of the season.
10:04 into the third period, OSU’s senior defenseman Matt Waddell brought the Buckeyes all the way back, tying the game at four. Waddell scored through the five-hole from the right point.
Even though OSU dominated the first period shots on goal 17-7, the Buckeyes found themselves in a 3-1 hole. On just the RedHawks second shot, right winger Nino Musitelli scored an even-strength goal. That was the junior’s fifth goal of the season. Musitelli was assisted by Justin Mercier and the game’s second star Ray Eichenlaub.
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