Miami beats St. Cloud State for NCHC championship

Blake Coleman called it "the most stressful game ... I've ever played in."

The Miami (Ohio) senior center scored three goals, went 14-2 on faceoffs and was named the tournament MVP in helping the Redhawks to a 3-2 win Saturday over St. Cloud State for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff title at Target Center.

But that wasn't the stressful part; Coleman was forced to watch the final 25 minutes or so from the Miami dressing room after being ejected with 5:48 remaining in the second period. Coleman was whistled for a hit to the head of St. Cloud State forward Joe Rehkamp and received a game misconduct penalty — a five-minute major his team successfully killed off.

"I'm so proud of the team, and I put us in a tough situation, and they bailed us out," Coleman said. "It takes a team to win these championships, and ... I'm really thankful that my teammates had my back and we were able to celebrate together."

Coleman's peculiar night highlighted a physical and defense-focused performance from the Redhawks (25-13-1), who trailed twice and killed three St. Cloud State power plays in the third period, including one following a penalty taken with just 3:39 remaining in the game.

"We had so much trust in our team, and, you know, it's just meant to be, I guess," Miami coach Enrico Blasi said.

Jay Williams made 18 saves for Miami, which likely will receive a top seed when the brackets are announced Sunday for the NCAA tournament.

"This is a tough league," Blasi said. "To win that trophy is pretty special."

St. Cloud State did its best to make the Redhawks the runner-up for the second straight year.

Charlie Lindgren made 18 saves — twice stopping Miami's Austin Czarnik on shorthanded breakaways — and Joey Benik and Jonny Brodzinski each scored goals.

"I loved how we competed," St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko said. "We left it all out there."

But every time the Huskies looked to be taking command, Coleman provided the Redhawks with an answer.