PAPILLION, Neb – The NCAA Midwest Regional offered some exciting ice hockey this weekend with a double overtime thriller placing the bracket champion into the frozen four. The Midwest regional offered four teams from two conferences, the CHA and the CCHA. CHA champion Alabama-Huntsville came in as the number four seed, Michigan (CCHA) as the three seed, a dangerous Bemidji State (CHA) team the number two seed, and the top ranked Miami (CCHA) as the number one seed. The RedHawks have been a force all season long and will looked to face off against conference foe and CCHA champion Michigan in the second round.
#4 Alabama-Huntsville vs. #1 Miami
Curtiss McKenzie led the University of Miami into the second round by scoring the first goal of the game and assisting on the game winner scored by Cameron Schilling. Miami received terrific play in net from Cody Reichard who stopped 16 shots only allowing one mishap off of the stick of Brennan Barker late in the third period with the extra attacker.
#3 Michigan verses #2 Bemidji State
The University of Michigan rolled past the Beavers scoring five times to continue their post season run. The Wolverines came on late this season and had more success as involving the play of the entire team within their scoring. Four different Wolverines scored with Carl Hagelin leading the way with two goals and an assist in his efforts. Much of Michigan’s post season may be due to a goalie change prior to the CCHA tournament. Shawn Hunwick took over the duties from Bryan Hogan and has carried the Wolverines into round two of the NCAA Tournament by stopping 26 shots in the win.
#3 Michigan verses #1 Miami
The Miami RedHawks will make a return trip to the Frozen Four behind the play of Pat Cannone. Cannone scored the opening goal in the first period and the game tying goal in the second to tie the game at two at the second intermission. The Wolverines will never be accused of not fighting, and Connor Knapp will never be accused of not earning his win for the RedHawks. Knapp stopped 55 shots on goal to provide Miami the needed defense to sink Michigan in the second overtime and emerge victorious. Alden Hirschfeld would end the game as the hero scoring at 1:54 into the second overtime to send the University of Miami RedHawks to their second straight Frozen Four finals.
You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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