With Miami University's ice hockey team about to drop the puck on regular season action against the University of Vermont this weekend, The Miami Student hockey reporter Kevin Jacobs and sports editor Mike Zoller discuss hot topics facing the ice hockey team this season.
What senior will be most missed by the RedHawks this season?
Zoller: The RedHawks will miss Matt Christie most of all. Even with Marty Guerin's slap shot and scoring abilities, Christie's leadership qualities and his playing through injuries were truly inspirational to the team and his 25 points last season (eight goals, 17 assists) will be missed. It will be interesting to see what senior will step up and take the team under his belt like Christie did. I would expect team captain Ryan Jones or Nathan Davis to step up to lead this team.
Jacobs: Guerin left some large skates to fill at the offensive end of the ice this season, especially on the power play. Guerin will be missed most because he was the leader and a dominant scoring force on the second line that was able to score consistently when top players Davis and Jones were on the bench. Guerin's 12 goals and 20 assists (32 points) last year with the second unit will be a hard mark to match for Jarod Palmer, Justin Mercier or Gary Steffes.
What series are you most looking forward to this season?
Zoller: It's already circled on my calendar. Feb. 8-9 the University of Michigan Wolverines will visit Oxford and if it's anything like the series the two teams had two years ago in old Goggin's last season, these will be an unforgettable two games. Even though Michigan isn't the RedHawks' biggest competition in the CCHA, anytime a Michigan team sets foot on Ohio soil it seems to send the entire school into a frenzy. Steve Cady Arena will be electric and so will the series.
Jacobs: When Michigan comes to Oxford, Miami will not only have a tough matchup, but new Goggin will be packed like never before. At this point in the season, both teams should be fighting for a top three standing in the CCHA, and should both be ranked in the top 10 nationally. Michigan is a big game for any of Miami's sports teams, and they're a team that the Miami students love to hate. This series should not only be significant in determining the standings going into the NCAA tournament, but also a gritty, physical and fun weekend of hockey.
What series will give Miami the most problems this season?
Zoller: We cannot forget that the defending NCAA National Champion Michigan State Spartans are in the CCHA. The RedHawks will go into East Lansing this year and into a very hostile environment. Michigan State has been predicted to win the CCHA by the media with Miami second in the media poll, and Miami has been predicted to win the CCHA by the coaches, with Michigan State second in the coach's poll. Clearly these are predicted to be the two best teams in the CCHA and when they meet up it could decide a lot in the standings come the end of the season.
Jacobs: Although most people would probably say Michigan State will be the RedHawks' biggest test, I think that the Nov. 9-10 series at home against Notre Dame will create problems for Miami early in the season. Notre Dame has a young and powerful offense, and has retained all five of its top scoring players from last season. Also, the 'Hawks were held winless against the Irish last season, who ended the year as CCHA champions. Notre Dame will not be willing to part with its title anytime soon, and will be a power in the CCHA this season. This series will have significant implications at the end of the season and possibly could give the edge in standings to whoever emerges victorious.
Should the RedHawks stick with the tandem goalie setup with both Charlie Effinger and Jeff Zatkoff in net?
Zoller: I like both Effinger and Zatkoff as goaltenders. Until one or the other gives Head Coach Enrico Blasi a reason to bench them, they should continue to alternate. It puts more of a burden on the opposition to have to prepare for two different goalies and it can only benefit Miami. Now usually it is Effinger then Zatkoff for a two-game series, however, I would think Zatkoff should start a series and have Effinger come in to close out game two.
Jacobs: Although I like both of Miami's goalies and either could be a starter on most NCAA teams, I think that a tandem setup is not as effective as using the classic roles. Having a clear starting goaltender gives the team a leader to rally behind, and consistent play on a daily basis. A starting goaltender is more likely to get into a good rhythm and stay hot if he plays every game, not every other. Looking at the NHL, nearly every team has their starting goalie, and a backup. Although the starter plays most of the games, the backup often has a large role, coming in for a few games if the starter seems to be struggling, or on days when the starter simply needs a rest. I think that the senior, Effinger, should start the season planning to get a majority of starts in goal, with Zatkoff ready to skate if Effinger is clearly struggling or tired.
The CCHA coaches have predicted Miami to finish first. How will they finish in the CCHA?
Zoller: The RedHawks are going to have a ton of competition from top CCHA teams like Michigan State and Notre Dame. MSU is the defending national champions and aren't going to want to give up that title anytime soon. Notre Dame is the defending CCHA champions and isn't going to be a push-over this year as well. You have to like Miami's offense with Jones and
Davis leading the way for Miami, and the defense anchored by Kevin Roeder and Mitch Ganzak. The 'Hawks have a very solid team and anything below second place in the CCHA should be looked at as a disappointment this season.
Jacobs: Miami has an excellent chance at winning the CCHA, and should do so this season. The RedHawks' main competition will come from Notre Dame and Michigan State, but Michigan and Ohio State should also prove to be solid teams. The RedHawks, led by Davis and Jones, will undoubtedly get the offense going and Mitch Ganzak, along with the goalie tandem of Effinger and Zatkoff, will keep the puck out of the net. It will be a big disappointment if the 'Hawks don't finish in the top three, and they should have a shot at the CCHA Championship.
Will the 'Hawks make it to the NCAA Tournament?
Zoller: They should. Either with a CCHA Tournament victory or an at-large bid, Miami has proven the past two years that they deserve to be playing for a national championship. After capturing their first NCAA Tournament victory last season, the RedHawks will be hungry for more this year and expect the 'Hawks to want more than just one win. I think last season was a great wake-up call for Miami as they are no longer a dark horse team lurking in the shadows trying to upset teams. They are now expected to compete each and every year for a national championship much like the University of Denver, Michigan State and Boston College.
Jacobs: Miami will make the NCAA Tournament most likely by winning the CCHA Tournament, but will have a good enough record to get a bid regardless. Last season the RedHawks were able to make it into the tournament and win their first game, before losing to an experienced Boston College team. This season Miami will know what it feels like to win at the tournament, and instead of merely looking for their first win, will be competing in later rounds.
