The Miami RedHawks took the first-ever Lefty McFadden Invitational crown with a 2-1 victory over Bowling Green as Vince Pulera broke a 1-1 tie in the third period.
After both teams battled through a scoreless first period Miami got on the board first when freshman Stephen Dennis scored his first career goal at 4:06 in the second period. Dennis snuck his goal through the five-hole of BGSU goalie Tyler Masters. Helping create Dennis’ goal, and record the assist, was senior Chris Knupp who won the faceoff back to Dennis.
Miami’s lead lasted for less than five minutes as the Falcons took advantage of a five-on-three power play with a goal of their own at 8:35. Junior Mark Wires ripped a wrist shot into the corner of the net, his second goal of the season, after classmate Brian Escobedo found him open on the wing.
With the game, and the Lefty McFadden Invitational crown, coming down to the wire in the third period, sophomore Vince Pulera scored the eventual game-winner on a three-on-two break. Pulera, who scored a career-best four points against Air Force, was tabbed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player with three goals and five total points.
Derek Edwardson was Miami’s other representative on the all-tournament team with five points on the weekend.
Despite being the hard-luck loser in the contest, Bowling Green goalie Tyler Masters stopped 38 shots en route to his all-tournament accolades. Also named to the “Lefty” all-tourney squad from the Falcons was Mark Wires. Wires netted two goals, and added one assists, on the weekend for Bowling Green.
Representing Niagara on the all-tournament team was Joe Tallari. Air Force’s Andy Berg rounded out the first Lefty McFadden Invitational all-tournament team. Tallari earns all-tourney accolades after recording a hat trick in Niagara’s 7-3 consolation-game victory over Air Force.
