OxfordPress.com

OXFORD — College life is a new and sometimes startling experience for all freshmen, but one thing that hasn't surprised Miami University rookie Tommy Wingels is the unparalleled success of the hockey team.

"I knew the program up here the last couple years has been amazing, and is getting better every year," said Wingels, who has stepped seamlessly into the role of finisher on offense.

The 6-foot, 193-pound forward, who came to Miami from the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) RoughRiders of the United State Hockey League, ranks third among the RedHawks with 12 goals scored and his .400 shooting percentage — he has taken only 30 shots — is far and away the top mark among the regulars.

Wingels and his teammates, however, face one of their more challenging weekends of the season with a road trip to Fairbanks, Alas., where they will face the Alaska Nanooks tonight and Saturday night.

Wingels said he got some good travel tips. Dress warmly, for one. And prepare something to occupy himself during a 3,800-mile plane ride.

"I'm from (Wilmette, Ill.), which is a northern suburb of Chicago," Wingels said. "I live right off Lake Michigan, so we get a lot of lake-effect snow in cold weather ... Rumor has it, it's supposed to be negative 20 (in Fairbanks)."

And as the for plane ride, "I'm missing a few days of school, so I'll bring some school work," he said.

The second-ranked RedHawks, who have won five in a row, haven't had an easy time against Alaska.

The Nanooks split their two-game series in Oxford in December, and last season Miami flew to Fairbanks and came away with a 2-1 loss and a 3-3 tie.

"It's a long trip," Wingels said. "Hopefully we're going to go in there, play the way we're supposed to, and the outcome will take care of itself."

Ironically, the RedHawks have a slightly better record away from Steve Cady Arena (12-1) than they do at home (11-2). This is a team that went 9-9-3 last year away from home.

"We just tell each other every game is as important as the next, whether it's on the road or at home," Wingels said.

"It's the same mental mood whether it's here or on the road, whether it's in Alaska or Ohio State," he explained. "The way we play, it doesn't matter who we're playing. We have the same ideas out there, the mindset of winning the game."

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