Today’s game
What: NCAA East Regional semifinal
Who: Miami (24-14-2) vs. Massachusetts Lowell (23-12-1)
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, Conn.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WMOH-AM (1450)
OXFORD — Miami University’s hockey team is in a favorable position as it begins NCAA East Regional play today in Bridgeport, Conn. At least as favorable as a No. 2 seed can get.
A few facts to consider:
• This is the RedHawks’ seventh straight trip to the NCAA tournament. They’re aiming for their third Frozen Four berth in four seasons.
• Union (N.Y.) is the regional’s top seed. The Dutchmen earned an NCAA spot for the first time last year and got blanked 2-0 by eventual national champion Minnesota-Duluth.
• The No. 4 seed is Michigan State, which Miami hammered by a combined 16-2 margin in four Central Collegiate Hockey Association victories this year.
Favorable? On paper, yes. An easy path to the Frozen Four? Hardly.
“People are saying we’re in a great spot because maybe they’ve never heard of some of the teams in our bracket,” RedHawks senior defenseman Chris Wideman said. “But for a lot of people in the hockey community, it’s a tough bracket. I’ve talked to friends that are in Hockey East, and UMass Lowell is a good team.”
The River Hawks are a speed-based team with a lot of offensive weapons. First-year coach Norm Bazin said his squad learned a lesson from its tourney loss to Providence.
“The major learning point is that the postseason can bring a whole new level of intensity,” Bazin said. “Unless you play a game with urgency, you’re not going to get very far.”
“They’ve got tremendous speed,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said of UMass Lowell, which is averaging 3.3 goals per game. “They’re really good in transition. They crash the net pretty hard.”
Blasi wouldn’t say whether Connor Knapp or Cody Reichard will start in goal for MU.
Knapp, the CCHA Goalie of the Year, was pulled during the RedHawks’ 6-2 loss to Western Michigan last Friday. Reichard finished, then went the distance the next day in a 4-1 win over Bowling Green.
Union and MSU will play today at 3 p.m. The regional crown will be decided Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
About the Author