Miami hockey  team showing poise 

Top-ranked RedHawks hoping fo r less stressful finishes  in games with Irish.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 11:14 PM Thursday, December 3, 2009

OXFORD — Miami University’s hockey team has shown an uncanny knack of coming from behind this year.

Coach Enrico Blasi and his RedHawks hope that’s a talent that won’t be needed this weekend when they take on Central Collegiate Hockey Association rival Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish will take on the top-ranked RedHawks tonight and Saturday, Dec. 4-5, as Miami returns to Steve Cady Arena after having played eight of its last nine games on the road.

Miami’s ability to come from behind is an advantage, of course. Blasi and his players just wish they wouldn’t find themselves trailing so often.

That has been a factor in Miami having to settle for five ties with more than half of the regular season remaining. The team record for ties in a season is six.

“Obviously we’re getting down in some games,” Blasi said. “We’ve kept our composure, stayed within ourselves.”

• On Oct. 17, Miami stormed back from a 5-3 deficit in the second period to tie New Hampshire 5-5.

• On Nov. 14, the RedHawks rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the third period to tie Ferris State 1-1.

• Last Friday, Miami trailed Bemidgi State 2-0 in the Subway Classic, tied the score at 2-2 but ended up losing 3-2.

• Last Saturday, Miami came back from a 5-3 deficit midway through the third period to tie North Dakota 5-5.

Freshman forward Reilly Smith scored the game-tying goal, his second of the night, with 2:41 left in regulation.

“There wasn’t a lot of time left and we were pushing the puck,” Smith said. “Andy Miele found me and I gave the goalie a little head fake and I tried to go for the side (of the net). I hit the goalie’s pad and I was lucky enough to find the rebound.”

Smith would just as soon not have to go through that situation again.

“It can be stressful, that’s for sure,” he said, “trying to do so much in so little time, and it can be overwhelming.

“We’re making it hard on ourselves, having to come back in the third period all the time,” Smith added. “It’s a tough situation. It’s hard to explain. All we know is we have to change it immediately.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.