Miller is strong in goal

Miller is strong in goal February 17, 2002

By Scott Munn
The Oklahoman

Aren Miller

Aren Miller played a strong game in goal, and the power play scored twice as Oklahoma City beat Indianapolis 4-1 on Saturday night before 10,714 fans.

The game was a complete turnaround from Friday night, when Oklahoma City lost 4-1 to struggling Wichita before 11,866 spectators in the Cox Business Services Convention Center.

An evening after describing the Blazers' effort as pathetic, coach Doug Sauter had nothing but praise for his Central Hockey League squad.

"There's no doubt that the guys came determined to play tonight," Sauter said. "The guys worked hard. That's what they're capable of."

Oklahoma City improved to 27-18-5. Going into their 6:05 game tonight at Tulsa, the Blazers have a 10-point lead over the second- place Oilers in the Northwest Division.

Tulsa blew a three-goal lead Saturday night and lost to Wichita 7-6 in a shoot-out.

The Blazers outshot Indianapolis 37-29, including 13-9 in a decisive second period. Joe Burton and Dave Shields had power-play goals 1:55 apart to give the Blazers, dressed in 1960s throwback uniforms, all they needed.

Indianapolis' Jay Hern cut it to 2-1 with 11:12 left in the game. But Oklahoma City's Thomas Migdal iced it, putting Shields' nice pass under Indy goaltender Jamie Morris with 9:04 remaining.

Jared Dumba added an empty-net goal with 20 seconds left.

Aside from Hern's goal, Miller played well. The former Detroit Red Wings draft choice made several big saves. Two came in the second period, stoning CHL rookie of the year candidate Peter Bournazakis on point-blank shots from the slot.

Miller, 16-11-2, turned back another good Bournazakis try with 5:45 left and Indianapolis still applying pressure in Oklahoma City's end.

"We had guys getting hit by pucks, guys who got checked -- but they all paid a price and we won the game," Sauter said. "The guys have to realize that they have to leave the switch on or else it's going to be an early summer."