DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Nathan Davis, Miami University's All-American forward whose body this winter has been a real pain in the, uh, back and shoulder, had one goal when he returned to the ice last weekend.

"For me," Davis said, "these guys have played so well all year, well enough to be No. 1 for so long, I came into the series just thinking I didn't want to mess it up."

It wasn't the most successful series for the RedHawks, who came away with a 4-2 loss and 5-5 tie against Michigan Wolverines and lost their No. 1 ranking and Central Collegiate Hockey Association lead to the Wolverines.

Still, Davis exceeded his own expectations when his goal with 5:03 left in the third period of the game on Saturday, Feb. 9 capped a dramatic Miami comeback after Michigan had led by two goals just minutes earlier.

"I didn't have a whole lot of time to savor it because we were playing for the win," Davis said. "It was loud, it was crazy, I hadn't scored a goal in a couple months. It was fun for about 10 seconds."

Davis' own comeback will continue this weekend when the RedHawks play a two-game series tonight and Saturday, Feb. 15-16, at Ferris State.

"We have no illusions," Davis said. "Our focus is to win out the regular season. We have six games left and we want every one. We want to put some pressure on Michigan."

When Miami's season opened Oct. 12 at home against Vermont, Davis had no reason to doubt it would be spectacular.

And it has been. For Miami. Not for Davis.

The senior forward from Rocky River suffered a separated shoulder in the opener.

"It was on a face-off," he remembered. "I was in an awkward position and I kinda got over-extended a little bit. It was a freak accident."

Davis didn't know it, but his problems were just starting.

"I came back from the shoulder," he said. "I was not able to train as hard as I could. When I got back in I thought I could play my normal amount of minutes. My back started getting sore."

Davis said he saw about four chiropractors and four doctors. It was no use.

"Week by week it wasn't getting any better," he said. "Against Alaska it locked up solid."

Davis, it turned out, had a herniated disc.

"It's absolutely miserable," he said. "It's one of those things. I have to stay on top of icing it and keep exercising it. If I let it go, it really gets sore. The Sunday after the Michigan series, I was flat on my back for most of the day.

"The only other injury I've ever had to deal with is the shoulder surgery I had when I was 15," Jones said. "I'd never missed a game. I'd be lying if I said I've breezed through this."

It hasn't been the physical pain so much.

"The hardest part of getting through this is the mental part of it, trying to stay upbeat and see light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "Being a senior and (alternate) captain, I'm always trying to keep a smile on my face.

"Obviously the team has been playing so well," he added, "I've been able to take the time I need to get back to 100 percent, which has been a huge help. It's been tough, but this is a close team and everyone's looked after me all year."

Now Davis wants to return the favor.

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