Box Score OXFORD, Ohio – No. 4/5 Miami erupted for five goals in the second period and went on to beat the No. 12/13 Omaha hockey team, 8-2, on Friday night at Steve Cady Arena.

The loss was the worst of the season for the Mavericks who fell to 7-4-2 overall and 3-3-1-1 in the NCHC.  Miami improved to 11-4-0 overall and 7-2-0-0 in the conference.

Miami, leading 2-1 after one, got two goals from Cody Murphy in the first half of the period as he completed a natural hat trick.  

Murphy's third goal, which chased starting goaltender Ryan Massa, was followed just 1:09 later by a tally from Matthew Caito who punched a rebound past backup goaltender Kirk Thompson.

Miami then got goals 1:03 apart in the final two minutes of the period from Riley Barber and Blake Coleman to end the barrage.

Dominic Zombo scored a powerplay goal at 7:07 of the third period to make it 7-2.  It was his first goal in nine games.

Miami's Michael Mooney scored shorthanded into an empty net at 16:41 to complete the scoring.

Massa was saddled with the loss, making 12 saves and allowing four goals.  Thompson allowed three goals on 13 shots in relief.

The Mavericks opened the scoring just 4:14 into the game when David Pope scooped up the rebound of a shot by Austin Ortega and fired home his third goal of the season.  Avery Peterson also earned an assist on the goal.

The RedHawks cashed in on their first power play to tie the game.  Kevin Morris slipped a pass from Austin Czarnik past Massa at 10:48 for his first goal of the year.

Less than two minutes later, Miami had the lead when Murphy wristed home a shot from a sharp angle.

The eight goals allowed were the most since an 8-2 loss at Minnesota Duluth on March 7.

The two teams finish the season series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CT.