What a game what a game what a game!

Miami (Ohio) and Air Force played an instant classic today in the NCAA Division I Hockey Tournament. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a better college hockey game, and while there are undoubtedly people who have watched a lot more college hockey than I have, I've watched more than my share.

Miami scored just 19 seconds into the game, on a Tommy Wingels wrist shot into the upper corner (where momma keeps the cookies, I believe is the term). After that, Air Force goaltender Andrew Volkening put on one heck of a show. Miami had shot after shot denied, including one that ESPNU play-by-play announcer John Buccigross said may have been the save of the year in college hockey. Color commentator Barry Melrose agreed it had to be in the top five. Volkening shut out the RedHawks for 50-plus minutes of game action, while his teammates managed to score twice on rebound shots to give them a 2-1 lead. The way Volkening was playing, it looked like the Falcons were going to pull off the upset.

But with 7:50 left in regulation, Air Force got hit with a penalty for having too many men on the ice. It was Miami's fourth power-play opportunity of the game, and they failed to take advantage of the first three. But this time, freshman Carter Camper made the Falcons pay, putting it in off a rebound with 6:16 to go.

Miami controlled the overtime period, but Volkening was almost unbreachable. It should be noted that Miami goalie Jeff Zatkoff, the nation's leading goaltender in terms of save percentage, made some great saves in that time too. But something had to give, and that something turned out to be Volkening. As Justin Mercier took the puck down to the right side of the goal, Volkening gambled that he would take it behind the net. But he didn't. He veered in front of the net and put it in the far upper corner. And Miami moves on to the round of eight.

Taken from the USCHO.com story:

“The puck came loose in the neutral zone; I was able to pick it up,” Mercier said. “I knew I could take advantage of their ‘D’ if I got him turning, pivoting. It was almost a fake shot, got him to freeze up for a second, took the puck around him and made a play on net to get it past their goalie.”

Miami won despite getting no goals from Ryan Jones, the nation's leading goal scorer. Jones had some chances, including a breakaway opportunity, but Volkening stopped him. But as Melrose pointed out, Miami's got a lot of weapons.

At 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the RedHawks play the winner of the Boston College-Minnesota game, which Boston College currently leads 2-1 in the second. The winner of tomorrow's game moves on to the Frozen Four in Denver. I can hardly wait.