Wow.

What a game between the Miami Redhawks and the Central Michigan Chippewas. The two teams combined for an outrageous 10 goals in the first period of the game. At the 17:19 mark of the first period, Lawrence Rowe put the Chippewas up 1-0, but the Redhawks answered quickly as Will Foster put one in the back of the net to tie the game at one.

After tying the game, the Redhawks scored two straight goals to put them up 3-1 at the 10:20 mark of the first period. It looked as if the Chips were down, dead, and out after falling behind by two so early, but they didn’t quit. Central would go on to score five straight goals to take a 6-3 lead. Not only did the Chippewas finally start to put the puck into the back of the net, but they also stepped up their physical game as well. With 11.7 seconds left in the first period, Miami finally stopped the bleeding by putting another one in the net, drawing them within two goals of the Chips heading into the second period.

A 10 goal first period is definitely not something you see everyday, it was something crazy and special at the same time. The Chippewas came out in the second period and looked like a totally different team than they did when the game started. They were applying solid offensive pressure, playing great defense, and using their physicality to their advantage. Central would increase their lead to 7-4 as Brennan Martin shot one in at the 6:41 mark of the second period. Goaltender Riley Morgan made several great saves to help keep the lead for his team and he only got better throughout the rest of the game. After an outstanding second period by the Chippewas, they headed into the locker room with a comfortable 7-4 lead, but they weren’t done yet.

Already up three goals in the third period, Ben Hryciuk decided that wasn’t a big enough lead for his team as he put another one in for the Chippewas at the 16:01 mark of the third period. That would be it in terms of scoring for the rest of the game, but both teams had plenty of chances. Again, Riley Morgan stood on his head in this period to help his team pick up their 12th win of the season.

Even after a sloppy start and falling behind 3-1 in the first period, the Central Michigan Chippewas (D3) were able to prevail and win the game. Coming back from a 3-1 deficit is never easy, but the way that they stormed back into the game just goes to show how well disciplined this team is by Coach James Cadzow. James Gleason, who had two huge goals in that first period offensive surge, wound up being the player of the game against the Miami Redhawks in their first of two meetings. The Chippewas host the Redhawks yet again on Saturday, November 4 at 11:30 am in attempt to sweep the series.

Written by Joey Huot