DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — For the first time in his Miami University hockey career, senior Justin Mercier and his teammates have had to deal with adversity this season.

They're getting pretty good at it. They overcame the loss of some of the greatest players in program history, they overcame a five-game losing streak.

Now Mercier and company have to do it again.

The RedHawks will try to break a two-game winless streak and Mercier will try to break a five-game scoreless streak as Miami closes out its regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against Ohio State.

"We definitely want to have some momentum going into the playoffs," Mercier said.

Miami dropped to No. 7 and 9 in the national polls after going 0-1-1 at home last weekend against Northern Michigan, though the RedHawks did salvage an extra point in the Central Collegiate Hockey League standings with a shootout win after the contest Saturday, Feb. 21, went into the books as a 1-1 tie.

"Obviously our goal now is to maintain that second seed (for the CCHA playoffs)," Mercier said of the second-place RedHawks, who already have clinched a first-round bye. "It's going to be a battle. Ohio State has to win if they want to get home-ice advantage (for the playoffs)."

Mercier said he is optimistic.

"We've definitely had our fair share of adversity," he said. "In my four years here we've had a lot of success and this year was the first time we had serious adversity we had to deal with. But we've stuck with it and hung in there.

"It's been a little bit of a roller-coaster ride, but that's what makes this team special," Mercier added. "It gives us confidence that we can overcome things.

"I have so much confidence in these 26 guys, just as much if not more than any other team I've been on here at Miami," he said. "We have so much depth. You can't take any of our lines for granted or they'll out the puck in the back of the net."

Mercier is two points away from becoming the first player in Miami history to record 100 points and 100 wins. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Mercier is looking for his first point of February. He has not scored a goal since Jan. 17 (against Michigan State), has not had an assist since Jan. 30 (Bowling Green).

Mercier is trying to take it all in stride.

"It's a pretty cool feeling," he said. "It's been quite a few games since I've had a goal, but our class getting 100 wins and being a part of Miami history is pretty neat.

"I was trying my best not to think about (the 100 points), but it's hard not to now that it's dragged on so long," Mercier said.

Mercier, who was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, is certain to continue his career professionally once Miami's season comes to a close.

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it," he swaid, "but right now I'm a Miami RedHawk and I'm giving my full attention into winning a CCHA championship and a national championship."

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