DaytonDailyNews.com

Forget the slumps, forget the last three games, forget the projections, most importantly however, don't forget about the RedHawks.

Despite dropping their last three games, including being swept in the quarterfinals of the CCHA tournament at home, the Miami hockey team was granted a bid to this year's NCAA Tournament.

After enduring an excruciating wait Sunday while watching the tournament selection show, the Red and White were eventually rewarded for their strong regular season play with an at-large bid.

"It was nerve-wracking, but to see the logo and the name go up there was just a relief to know for sure that we're in the tournament," said captain Ryan Jones.

"Once we heard our names called, it was a huge weight lifted off of our shoulders," said keeper Jeff Zatkoff. "We finally have a chance to control our own destiny."

This is the second consecutive tournament appearance for the RedHawks, who are still winless in tournament history.

"We're getting our program to where we want it to be, we're contending for championships every year," Jones said. "It's now up to us to start this tournament by winning a couple games."

In order to break that streak however, they'll have to figure out a way to upset the Northeast Regional #1 seed, New Hampshire Wildcats Saturday, at 1 p.m.

"Like most east coast teams they are small, but they're very quick," said senior forward Marty Guerin. "They like to play in transition and thrive over other team's turnovers."

In order to beat the Wildcats however, the RedHawks must find a way to snap their current three-game losing streak, caused by a lack of scoring. During their three-game skid, the RedHawks were only able to produce three offensive goals, but now hope to resolve the problem with a few minor changes.

"We stirred up the lines a bit and got some guys back with players they were successful with earlier in the year," Guerin said. "I'm thinking that will help us get back on track a bit."

Another challenge the Red and White will have to face is the fact that the first round of the Northeast Regional will be held at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, which is just 45 minutes outside of the university. "Hopefully our league play, where we have had to play in hostile environments has prepared us," said coach Enrico Blasi. "We're prepared for it."

The tournament bid gives several RedHawks another chance to end their career on a high note after coming up short in CCHA play.

"Its kind of a last chance, the seniors are really happy to have this second life and hope we can take full advantage of it," Guerin said.

Should the RedHawks get past the Wildcats, they would face the winner of the Boston College and St. Lawrence contest. The second-round game will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday.