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RedHawk icers ready to start second half
Thursday, January 01, 2009
OXFORD — As the Miami University hockey opens the second half of its season today, Jan. 2, in the Ohio Hockey Classic, the RedHawks are doing what almost nobody — themselves excluded — thought could be done.
They are making a serious stab at exceeding the accomplishments of their historic 2007-08 campaign.
Miami, the second-ranked team in the nation, will face off against Clarkson tonight hoping to notch a ninth consecutive victory (which would tie the program's record). With a slew of victories over ranked teams, the RedHawks have established themselves as serious national championship contenders.
It's been a sweet ride for the RedHawks, who were the nation's top-ranked team last season and won their first-ever NCAA Tournament contest, but who were expected to slip this season following the loss of many talented seniors.
So far that slip hasn't happened.
"Probably no one expected us to do what we've been able to do except the guys in our locker room and people associated with our team," said Enrico Blasi, who is just one victory away from becoming the first coach in Miami history to reach the 200 mark.
"The guys have jelled together," he noted. "We focus on things we can control. That's how we run our program and how we live. We're not going to change anything (over the second half of the season). Obviously we need to continue to improve and execute our plays on a more consistent basis ... But the team is progressing nicely and that's all we can ask for."
Although Clarkson is trying to snap an 11-game winless streak (0-9-2), Blasi said he expects a battle.
"We know them very well," he said., "and they're a better team than their record shows. We'll be ready for them and we'll have to play our best."
Miami isn't the only red-hot team in this weekend's tournament. The host Ohio State Buckeyes have won six straight and nine of their last 10.
Miami and Ohio State have met in the championship game in each of the last three seasons. The RedHawks hold a 2-1 edge in those contests, winning in a shootout in 2005, losing 5-2 in 2006 and winning last year 3-2.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
