2008 Woodie Awards
RedHawks begin hunt for title
Expectations remain high as team hopes to advance to Frozen Four
Trish Engelman
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports
|
The RedHawks earned the No.1 seed in the Northeast region while the Falcons are the No. 4 team.
"The mind set is to go in and play our best," said head coach Enrico Blasi. "Every team will bring their best. You win you move on, it's that simple."
Despite entering the tournament having lost 2-1 to the University of Michigan, the 2007-08 CCHA Mason Cup champions, the RedHawks are not hanging their heads in despair. Instead they are looking at the past weekend as an opportunity to right a few wrongs.
"We have to focus on the things that we didn't do so well against Michigan," said senior captain Ryan Jones. "We found a few weaknesses in our game and we have to improve on them. Last weekend is our chance to rebuild."
Perhaps one weakness the Red and White is referring to is its offensive lines. All three Miami goals in the past two games against Notre Dame and Michigan were scored by RedHawk defenseman Alec Martinez and Mitch Ganzak.
"Our forwards obviously have to step up and score some goals when they have the chances," Jones said.
On the opposing end, the Falcons enter the weekend as the newly crowned champions of the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament after defeating Mercyhurst College 5-4 in double overtime. With its victory, Air Force won its second consecutive AHA championship, earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. They now stand 21-11-6 on the season.
There is little history between Miami and Air Force as the teams have only played each other twice all-time, last meeting in the 2003-04 season. The teams first faced each other in the 2002-03 season opener, where Miami defeated the Falcons 12-1 in the first game of the Lefty McFadden Tournament, Oct. 4, 2002. The next season, Air Force beat 21st-ranked Miami 2-0 in the consolation game of the Nye Frontier Classic, Oct. 18, 2003.
Each game in the NCAA tournament is single elimination. The teams are split into four regions of four teams each. The region's No. 1 seed meets region's No. 4 seed, and No. 2 plays No. 3. The winners play in the regional final for the right to advance to the Frozen Four in Denver, Col.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Sports Fan
posted 3/30/08 @ 12:45 PM EST
Dear President Hodge & Student body,
Our former president did nothing to help cure our school's pathetic lack of school spirit. That's quite obvious. (Continued…)
Post a Comment