DaytonDailyNews.com

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Still reeling from a loss to Boston College in the Hockey East tournament championship game last week, the top-seeded and fifth-ranked New Hampshire Wildcats are determined not to overlook the Miami RedHawks.

The Wildcats will meet the 13th-ranked and fourth-seeded RedHawks in the opening game of today's NCAA tournament Northeast Regional.

A win over Miami would likely set up a rematch with BC, but the Wildcats say they are focused on the RedHawks.

"We're definitely not looking at this game as a 1 vs. 4 game," UNH captain Josh Ciocco said. "We know all about Miami, and we know they're a talented team. Only the best get to this tournament, and that's why they're here."

The RedHawks, 0-4 in four previous NCAA tournament appearances, are led by juniors Nathan Davis and Ryan Jones. Davis, a Hobey Baker Award finalist, has totaled 49 points, while Jones, the team captain, leads the team with 28 goals.

Davis was back on the ice Friday after missing two practices.

"I had a little bit of the flu earlier this week, but I feel 100 percent now," Davis said. "I got a lot of sleep and antibiotics, so I'm ready to go."

As far as strengths and weaknesses, Miami ranks second nationally in killing penalties, but has struggled on offense lately, scoring just one goal in each of its last three contests.

UNH will hold a distinct home-crowd advantage — its campus is only 45 minutes away. But Miami coach Enrico Blasi says his team will be ready.

"We know it's going to be a packed crowd in UNH's favor," he said. "We're excited about that and we're looking forward to the challenge."