DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Gary Steffes is all energy, all the time.

When he talks, you feel it more than hear it. When he skates, you see it.

And when the Miami University junior let loose with his stick last weekend, his energy streaked straight into the scoreboard.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound forward from Grand Blanc, Mich., recorded one of his finest games as a collegiate player when he stole the puck and scored one goal and assisted another in Miami's 4-0 victory at Lake Superior State on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Steffes is a solid scorer, ranking fourth among the RedHawks with 10 goals this season. But that isn't the only way he makes his presence felt.

"I see my role as the energy guy," he said. "I'm always excited to be around the rink. That shows in my game. I play hard. I try to be energized."

The energy flows from Steffes even when he's slap shooting words instead of pucks.

"I love the fact that hockey requires skill, toughness and speed," he said." It's an all-around game. You're always moving, always skating. I love the fact that it's a fast game."

Miami fans will get a chance to see Steffes and the rest of the red-hot RedHawks in action this weekend when they host Northern Michigan for a two-game series, starting tonight at Steve Cady Arena.

Miami, ranked fourth in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll and fifth by USCHO/CBS College Sports, has not lost since Jan. 16. The RedHawks have won five straight and are 6-0-1 in their last seven games.

"A lot of it is that the players are starting to play on the same page with each other, sticking together as a team," Steffes said. "It sort of trickles down."

Following the Christmas break, Miami had started the new year by losing five in a row.

"You want to stare adversity in the face and play through it," Steffes said.

Northern Michigan had its own seven-game unbeaten streak snapped last week when the Wildcats were swept by second-ranked Notre Dame 9-5, 5-2.

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