St. Cloud State
24-6-6, 17-4-4NCHC
Miami University (OH)
11-19-5, 6-15-4NCHC
St. Cloud State wards off Miami for 5-2 NCHC playoff win
3/9/2018 11:01:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Huskies take a one-game lead in the best-of-three NCHC quarterfinal series
ST. CLOUD—Two plays from a pair of standout freshmen sparked the St. Cloud State men's hockey team (23-6-6, 16-4-4 NCHC) to a 5-2 win against a plucky Miami squad (11-19-5, 6-14-4) in the opening game of their NCHC quarterfinal series.
With their triumph, the Huskies took a one-game lead, 1-0, in the best-of-three series and extended their unbeaten streak, which dates back to the end of January, to 12 games—just three games shy of the program's all-time best run. But it did not come easy, as the No. 8-seeded RedHawks gave top-seeded SCSU all it could handle.
The Huskies narrowly out-shot Miami, 29-27, but were out-attempted, 50-43.
"Miami outplayed us tonight," head coach Bob Motzko said. "They had a will and a determination and fought for pucks, but we were good enough to win. We will take it when that happens."
After second period goals from senior defender Jimmy Schuldt and freshman forward Blake Lizotte staked the Huskies to a two-goal, 3-1, lead, Miami cut into the advantage just under four and a half in the third and began applying heavy pressure in search of an equalizer.
In the face of MU's momentum, though, freshman forward Easton Brodzinski took a drop pass from junior forward Robby Jackson and cashed in a blistering wrist shot to stick a dagger in the RedHawks' comeback hopes with 8:21 to play.
The goal capped two point nights for both Brodzinski and Jackson. Sophomore defenseman Jack Ahcan, who opened the scoring in the first period, also finished with a multi-point effort.
"We needed a play," Motzko said. "Our offensive guys made plays for us and those were the reasons we won the game. I love the win and love the fact that we made the right plays."
Junior forward Mikey Eyssimont sealed the postseason-opening victory with an empty-netter, his team-leading 15th tally of the season, with just over a minute left.
Lizotte's goal, which came from a fantastic individual effort, proved to be the game-winner and extended the All-NCHC Rookie Team selection's point streak to three games. He has six goals and 17 points in 18 games since January 6 and, if Motzko is to be believed, is only scratching the surface of the player he can become.
"His motor is carrying us right now," Motzko said. "He is working his tail off and is becoming one of our best players."
St. Cloud State can wrap up a berth in the 2018 NCHC Frozen Faceoff with a win in game two of its series against Miami on Saturday, March 10. Game time is scheduled for 7:07 p.m., at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Tickets for the contest are available at scsutickets.com or at the arena box office on game day.
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