Aaron Gill propelled the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish past the Miami University RedHawks, 4-3, with the game-winning goal at 4:10 in overtime.
Gill’s seventh goal of the season gave the Irish the edge in both the game and league standings. Notre Dame and Miami were tied for eighth place in the CCHA before tonight’s contest.
The Irish, fresh off two tough losses at home to Nebraska-Omaha last weekend, shocked the Red and White faithful with two goals in the first period. Junior captain Evan Nielsen struck first with his fourth goal of the season at 4:39 after receiving a cross-ice pass from Neil Komadoski. Gill also recorded an assist on the goal.
Notre Dame gave itself a 2-0 lead when Michael Chin netted his 11th goal of the season at 14:42 in the first frame. Chin, who scored from a sharp angle on the wing, was set up by Connor Dunlop and David Inman.
Miami senior Evan Cheverie narrowed the gap to 2-1 with a power-play goal at 19:51 in the second stanza. Cheverie lit the lamp for the seventh time this season by scooping up a rebounded shot in front of the net. Taking the initial shot was senior Mike Glumac. Senior Jason Deskins also registered an assist, giving him 122 career points (61-61-122), just one point behind head coach Enrico Blasi on Miami’s all-time scoring chart.
Miami tied the contest briefly, 2-2, in the third period when sophomore Greg Hogeboom tallied his team-leading sixth power-play goal of the season at 12:31. Twenty-five seconds later, however, Chin fired his second goal of the contest to put the Irish back on top 3-2.
After a give-and-go pass to junior Danny Stewart, Hogeboom beat Notre Dame goalie Morgan Cey with a top-shelf shot at 16:02 to knot the game at three apiece. His team-leading 13th goal of the season sent the game to overtime.
Gill put an end to any Miami hopes of victory with the game-winner at 4:10 in the extra period while skating even strength. The loss dropped the RedHawks to 1-3-2 in overtime contests this season.
Stopping 33 Miami shots in net for the Irish was Cey, recording his eighth victory of the season. Despite saving 28 shots, junior David Burleigh dropped to 9-12-2 between the pipes this season.
Miami (10-13-2, 7-10-2 CCHA) seeks a victory and two points tomorrow night, Jan. 26, as it wraps up the weekend series with Notre Dame (9-11-5, 7-8-4, CCHA) in Goggin Ice Arena at 7:35 p.m.
