'Hawks sink Lakers, sweep series

MU holds LSSU to 1 goal during weekend games

Trish Engelman

Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Sports

A group of RedHawks celebrate Andy Miele's first career collegiate goal Friday night during Miami's 6-1 win.

The Miami University ice hockey team (23-3-0, 15-3-0 CCHA) proved there's no place like home, as they defeated the Lake Superior State University Lakers in a two game series at the friendly confines of the Steve Cady Ice Arena after traveling for more than a month on the road.

Scoring a total of 11 goals for the weekend, the RedHawks saw their winning streak grow to five games as they knocked off the Lakers with a 6-1 win Friday night and a 5-0 win Saturday night.

"It's nice to be home for four days of practice and sleep in your own bed Thursday and Friday night," Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi said. "That was definitely a big plus for us."

Wasting no time getting started Friday night, the 'Hawks jumped out to an early lead as sophomore Jarod Palmer connected off a pass from freshman Carter Camper, opening the night's scoring just five minutes into the first period.

Shortly after, newcomer Andy Miele made his debut in a Red and White uniform scoring his first collegiate goal and Miami's second on the evening, as he rebounded a Camper shot.

"It's definitely a little bit faster, and everyone's strong, playing against these older guys," Miele said. "It's a step up, that's for sure. It's hard being the new guy, but the guys have taken me in like I've been here all year."

Adding more depth to the RedHawk's versatility, Miele comes to Miami after playing for the Chicago Steel, a team in the United States Hockey League, where he scored 30 goals in 28 games.

"We're trying to get his feet wet, but it's just a matter of getting himself acclimated to the speed," Blasi said. "He adds a scoring punch to our line up which makes our job as coaches more difficult because now we have a slew of guys we can go with."

Junior Justin Mercier added to Miami's lead with a power play goal late in the first period. Senior defenseman Mitch Ganzak dumped the puck from his own blue line across the ice, tipping the stick of Mercier just before it dribbled through the pads of LSSU net minder Pat Inglis. Goaltender Charlie Effinger popped up on the score sheet, adding an assist on the goal.

"Getting us in the game right from the start was a key to the way we came out tonight," Effinger said.

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