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No regrets for Miami's Davis
Saturday, March 29, 2008
WORCESTER, Mass. — Nathan Davis is back in the NCAA tournament, right where he wanted to be.
The Miami University senior forward concedes this season has been difficult at times, thanks to shoulder and back injuries that have limited him to 20 games.
Extras
But Davis said he'll finish his RedHawk hockey career with no regrets.
"It was a tough pill to swallow early on," he said of being sidelined. "But once the season got going, we won so many games, and I was able to take the time I needed to get completely healthy.
"It's such a close team, such a fun environment," Davis continued. "I'm completely happy and satisfied with my college career. If you play this long, you can have a season like this with injuries. It's a shame it had to happen my senior year. But I'm satisfied with what I've done thus far in my college career."
Davis has tallied eight goals and nine assists this year. He failed to score a point last weekend during the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Final Four in Detroit.
"I think he's just starting to feel comfortable again," Miami coach Enrico Blasi said. "Despite all the injuries, he's still one of the best players in the country."
Davis said he'd love to go out with an NCAA bang.
"Anytime you miss a significant part of the season like I have, every game is a little more important," Davis said. "When tournament time comes around, you kind of want to make a statement. This is why I came back for my senior season, to help us win the big games."
Fab freshman
MU freshman forward Carter Camper — like Davis, a northern Ohio guy from Rocky River — has played like a seasoned veteran all year.
Camper, the RedHawks' third-leading scorer with 14 goals and 24 assists, is remarkably consistent. He's notched at least one point in 15 of his last 16 games.
"The coaches have put me in a great position playing with great players — they're giving me great opportunities to produce," said Camper, who missed eight games in February because of an ankle injury. "I just kind of take my opportunities and run with it."
At 5-foot-9 and 173 pounds, Camper is hardly an imposing figure. He describes himself as "more of a playmaker. I don't go in the corners and try to kill guys. I try to weasel my way in there, I guess. I try to look for my teammates getting to the net, probably pass before I shoot."
Camper said he's worked hard every day to gain the older players' respect.
"You don't want to come in here and try to act like a big wheel," Camper said. "You want to come in and make sure you fit in. You want to be supportive of everyone and be a team player."
Around the ice
• It's Miami vs. Air Force at 4 p.m. and Boston College vs. Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. in the NCAA Northeast Regional today, March 29, at the DCU Center. The winners will play for the title Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
• RedHawks goalie Jeff Zatkoff has not allowed more than two goals in any game over his last seven, going 6-1 during that stretch.
• Miami's Alec Martinez is tied for the national lead in goals scored by a defenseman with nine.
• Air Force has marked at least one power-play goal in each of its last seven games. The Falcons' leading scorers are Brent Olson (18 goals, 20 assists) and Jeff Hajner (15 goals, 22 assists).
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.
