Feb. 27, 2008

Columbus, Ohio - The RedHawks looked sharp on three days rest while playing in a rare Tuesday night game, as Miami took down the Buckeyes by a 2-1 margin.

Junior goaltender Jeff Zatkoff was solid for the Red and White in net, allowing only one goal on 32 shots, earning his 23rd victory of the year. With the win, Zatkoff set a new record for the most victories by a Miami goaltender in a single season. He is now tied with Michigan's Billy Sauer for the most wins by a netminder in the country.

Sophomore Jarod Palmer continued his offensive onslaught, netting his eighth goal of the year, and second game-winner. Palmer has scored 17 points since the calendar year switched to 2008. Palmer was honored as the game's first-star for his efforts.

Ohio State opened the scoring just 59 seconds into the contest, as freshman John Albert skated down the right side of the ice and tucked a shot over the shoulder of Jeff Zatkoff. OSU's goal was the quickest scored by an opponent this season, beating Michigan by four seconds, as the Wolverines scored 1:03 into the game during its 5-5 tie with Miami on February 9.

Junior Alexandre Lacombe evened the affair with just over four minutes remaining in the first period, as he tipped a rebound from linemate Justin Vaive past Buckeye goaltender Joseph Palmer. For Lacombe, the goal was his fifth of the season, passing his previous best for a season by four goals.

With just 58 seconds remaining in the second period, it appeared that the RedHawks had taken a 2-1 lead, as junior Brian Kaufman slid a rebound into the OSU net. The goal was disallowed, as referee Kevin Hall determined senior captain Ryan Jones had interfered with the Ohio State netminder.

Miami unknotted the 1-1 stalemate five minutes into the third stanza, when sophomore Jarod Palmer accepted a pass from freshman Andy Miele between the offensive zone faceoff circles, and rifled a shot just under the crossbar of the Ohio State net, giving Palmer his eighth goal of the season. Palmer has scored two goals and eight points in the month of February.

The RedHawks will close out the regular season Friday night, as the team completes the second half of this home-and-home series with Ohio State. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

NOTES:

Miami set a new school record Tuesday night, recording its 28th victory of the season, passing the 1992-93 and '96-97 teams, both of which won 27.

Two of sophomore forward Jarod Palmer's eight goals have been of the game-winning variety this season, surpassing his previous career-best (1), set during his freshman season.

This marks only the third time in school history that Miami has won 20 or more conference games.

After tonight's win, Miami trails Michigan by just one point for the top spot in the CCHA.

Miami has been victorious in each of its four games against Ohio State this season, tying the all-time series between the two schools at 55-55-10.