DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — This time of year hasn't been kind to Miami University's hockey team, something the RedHawks hope they are in the process of changing.

Miami seeks its fourth straight victory Friday, Feb. 29, in its regular-season finale against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

"We haven't changed our philosophy the entire year," Miami senior captain Ryan Jones said. "We just want to be the best team we can be. I think getting on a roll has given the guys a boost of confidence and hopefully that will carry over into the (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) playoffs and beyond."

The RedHawks seemed to have plenty of confidence after winning 25 of their first 28 games, but they were knocked off-kilter by a four-game winless streak which saw them drop from first to fifth in the national polls.

Since then, victories over Western Michigan (2-0 and 8-1) and Ohio State (2-1) have given Miami some much-needed momentum.

"I think we re-focused ourselves and got back to playing like the team that we are," Jones said.

The RedHawks were on a roll last year, too, taking a five-game winning streak into their regular-season finale at Northern Michigan.

Then Miami lost four of its last five, including two unexpected setbacks at home to Lake Superior State in the CCHA playoffs.

The year before (2005-06), when the RedHawks received their first No. 1 ranking, they lost four of their last seven.

The RedHawks have not ended the regular season with three or more consecutive victories since 1980, the program's second year of existence under coach Steve Cady. That year Miami won its last six after starting 0-8-1.

Miami remains alive mathematically in the chase for the CCHA regular-season championship, but needs a victory over Ohio State and a loss and tie, or two losses by the Michigan Wolverines, who play at home tonight and on the road Saturday against Ferris State. If Miami and Michigan finished tied, the RedHawks would win the first tiebreaker (overall CCHA wins).

Michigan can clinch the title outright with a victory in either of its games.

Although the RedHawks have lost their No. 1 ranking in the polls, they remain at the top of several NCAA statistical lists, both individual and team.

Jones leads in goals scored (32), three more than Bowling Green's Derek Whitemore.

Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff leads in goals against average (1.6956), just ahead of Richard Bachman of Colorado College (1.70.54).

The RedHawks are No. 1 in team scoring (4.43 goals scored per game) and team defense (1.80 goals allowed per game).

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