Thursday, March 28, 2024

Spartans fall to Miami (Ohio), 4-1, in CCHA playoffs

Oxford, Ohio — It was a mucky hard-fought series at Steve Cady Arena this weekend, but the Spartans couldn’t manage to pull past the No. 3 Miami (Ohio), as a 4-1 loss in the CCHA playoffs sealed the end of the MSU hockey season.

A fluke goal put Miami (Ohio) on the board first, forcing MSU to work against the momentum. MSU freshman goaltender Jake Hildebrand went to clear the puck from the corner on an MSU power play, put instead of wrapping around the boards, the puck bounced off the MSU post and landed in the crease.

All RedHawk forward Kevin Morris had to do was tap the puck into the empty net. Forward Sean Kuraly netted the RedHawks second goal, a result of a coast-to-coast play by the home team.

MSU entered the second period with a goaltending change, opting to go with junior goaltender Will Yanakeff.

The Spartans had numerous power plays and one extended 5-on-3 opportunity in the middle frame. Freshman forward Matt DeBlouw scored on a Spartan power play, sending a laser from the point.

DeBlouw has scored MSU’s first goal in each game this series.

About halfway through the third period, MSU received a penalty and after maintaining possession in the MSU zone for about a minute and a half, Miami (Ohio) netted its third of the game. An empty-netter by Austin Czarnik with 23 seconds remaining sealed the fate of MSU.

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