Miami hockey team visits rival Michigan

2 powerful programs are 5-5-1 against each other in their past 11 games.

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By Alex Butler, Contributing Writer 1:02 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

OXFORD — Coming off a heartbreaking loss in last year’s national championship is never an easy thing to get over. But Miami University hockey coach Enrico Blasi is certainly trying his best.

Blasi is attempting to shed some positive light on the experience as his No. 1 RedHawks (6-1-1) travel north to face off against one of their most bitter rivals — the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines (4-2-0).

“We celebrated the fact that we got to the finals and lost in overtime, but this is a new team with new team dynamics and new leadership,” Blasi said. “The most important thing that we try to do as a program is understand the fact that we were one of the two teams left at the end of the year. That’s not an easy feat. It really didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but hopefully, we can draw from that experience through this season.”

The RedHawks have shared the puck offensively this year, with four players tied for the team lead in goals (3). The four include All-American Carter Camper, senior Jarod Palmer, sophomore Matt Tomassoni and team captain Tommy Wingels.

“Our potential is really through the roof,” Camper said. “From freshmen to seniors, our team’s loaded. We just got to go out there with the right mentality every weekend and play our game. The guys returning have experience, and the younger guys are stronger. Each year, each class gets better.”

Being “loaded” this season certainly hasn’t passed under the watchful eye of the national media, as USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine and United States College Hockey Online have Miami penciled in the No. 1 slot all season. Although being the top dog can cause distractions, the MU captain voiced some of the positives.

“It’s great for the school and the community, and it’s good for all of our fans to feel that they are No. 1 as well,” Wingels said. “Publicity is great, but we don’t really follow it that much. We just take it day by day and try and get better each and every week.”

With Wingels wearing the “C” he also has had a lot of responsibility added to his plate. But he has handled it well and become an “integral” part of the RedHawk program, according to Blasi.

“Tommy is one of those captains who can lead by example. He is really good in the locker room. He takes it with a lot of pride and a lot of commitment to us. It’s a big deal to be a captain of this team. I know he’s honored and takes it very seriously.”

The Red and White will need their captain this weekend when they battle the Wolverines. The two teams are 5-5-1 in their last 11 meetings. The game today, Nov. 6, will be broadcast on ONN and will start at 7:35 p.m.

“We are focused on what we have to do, and right now it’s Michigan,” Blasi said. “Whether we’re ranked first, second, third or 20th, it’s not going to change what we do. We don’t talk about it. We are flattered that people talk about us that way, but we don’t let it affect us either way. It has really become quite a rivalry. Both teams look forward to the games and are much better after the weekend than going into the weekend because of the intensity and the emotion involved in the game.”

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