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Posted: 7:36 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Streaking Michigan talk of the CCHA

RedHawks wait for CCHA tourney opponent
Miami University’s hockey team poses with the Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season trophy during a ceremony at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miami University Athletics

By Rick Cassano

Staff Writer

OXFORD —

Miami University won the Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season championship and is one of four teams still standing in the tournament.

Yet the RedHawks are feeling a bit invisible heading to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Everybody wants to talk about their opponent. Seventh-seeded Michigan is 17-18-3, but the Wolverines are 7-0-1 in their last eight games.

“I guess we’re going to have to show up Saturday and play the game,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said of the 4:35 p.m. semifinal. “It’s not like they’re coming out of nowhere. Everyone wants to make this big deal about Michigan playing well. Well, they’re a really good hockey team. They’ve got talent up and down their lineup.

“They’ve had some injuries this year, so maybe they were a little discombobulated for a bit, but they’ve got everybody back. They’ve had some situations that were out of their control, and now they’re back together. Honest to God, it’s Michigan. If you’re not ready to play, they’re going to beat you.”

The Wolverines have participated in the last 22 NCAA tournaments, the longest streak in college hockey history. They need to win twice this weekend to extend that streak — Notre Dame plays Ohio State in Saturday’s first semifinal at 1:05 p.m., and the championship game is set for 2:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Veteran coach Red Berenson said his crew still isn’t in top form, though it’s been a high-scoring team most of the year and has 34 goals during that 7-0-1 stretch.

“I think our team is a lot better than we were a month ago, but I can’t tell you we’re there yet,” Berenson said. “It’s been a challenge all year.”

Among Michigan’s injuries was the cracked vertebrae suffered by junior defenseman Jon Merrill. He missed the first half of the season.

Seven players, led by sophomore forward Alex Guptill (33 points), have at least 20 points for the Wolverines, who are 5-0 against Miami in CCHA tournament play. They split in Ann Arbor in October.

Blake’s back: MU sophomore forward Blake Coleman didn’t play last Saturday or Sunday against Michigan State, sitting out for the first time all season.

“I was just battling a couple injuries that were keeping me from being 100 percent,” Coleman said Tuesday afternoon. “I tried to play through it Friday. (Bryon) Paulazzo had been practicing well and was ready to go, so coach made the decision to keep me out those two games.

“I’m a competitor. I’ll do anything I can to be out there. But obviously what’s best for the team is what coach is going to do.”

Coleman declined to be specific about his injuries beyond saying, “One has been about a week, and the other one happened in practice during the week. It’s just something that was keeping me from using my strengths. But I’m back now and ready to go.”

He has eight goals and eight assists this year.


SATURDAY’S GAME

Miami vs. Michigan at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, 4:35 p.m., 1450, 1490

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