DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Miami University's hockey team finally got to face an opponent Saturday night, and the reviews were mostly good.

That's no surprise for a team ranked fourth nationally and picked to win the Central Collegiate Hockey Association title this season.

Justin Mercier tallied three goals and Gary Steffes added two for the RedHawks, who defeated Waterloo 5-0 in an exhibition contest before a boisterous crowd of 3,024 at Steve Cady Arena.

"I was itching for this game," said Mercier, a junior from Erie, Pa. "You work so hard to get to this point ... you just can't wait to get back in game mode. It's been a long summer."

"We came out flying," added Steffes, a sophomore from Grand Blanc, Mich. "We've got the skill. If we can bring the work ethic, we're going to be a tough team to handle."

MU coach Enrico Blasi wasn't sure what to expect from his veteran unit since NCAA rules have limited the team to two hours a week of on-ice practice with coaches since Sept. 15.

But the RedHawks took the ice with a vengeance, and while it wasn't always perfect, the hosts forged a 42-14 advantage in shots and looked ready to start the season for real.

"We took a little bit of a chance playing on the first date, but I was hoping our leadership would have our guys ready, and they did," Blasi said. "I like the way our team plays. I like the makeup of our team. On Monday, we'll start our regular routine and get ready for Vermont."

The Catamounts will come to Oxford for a season-opening two-game series starting Friday at 7:35 p.m.

Jeff Zatkoff totaled 10 saves in goal in the opening two periods, and Charlie Effinger had four saves in the final stanza to blank Waterloo. The Warriors hail from a 26,000-student Canadian university located about an hour west of Toronto.

"It was nice to compete against somebody else," Blasi said. "We haven't really battled since last March. The crowd was great, and the student body was just unbelievable.

"In the third period, we really played much more RedHawk hockey," he added. "They showed some work ethic and where we need to be."

Freshman Pat Cannone collected three assists for MU and was part of a newly formed line with Steffes and Mercier.

"The kid just has a knack for finding the open man," Mercier said. "I was jumping out in the slot, and he knew how to find me."

"Every guy brings something to the table," Steffes said. "The line was clicking. We feed off each other."

Mercier, Brian Kaufman (two), Mitch Ganzak and Ray Eichenlaub added assists.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.