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Coming off of a weekend split against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the RedHawks put their No. 8 national ranking on the line against Ferris State University.
In February of the 2007-08 season, the Bulldogs swept the then No. 2 nationally ranked RedHawks. It marked the first and only time Miami suffered a sweep and was knocked down to No. 5 in the polls.
The nationally unranked bulldogs visit Oxford for the 92nd and 93rd meetings between the two teams in a series where the RedHawks hold a 42-38-12 advantage over the Bulldogs.
Miami University looks to sweep this time around to avenge last season and avoid splitting another home conference series.
"Consistency is probably the biggest issue," assistant coach Brent Brekke said. "Obviously, we went from being down Friday night to playing very strong Saturday night. The message we got across to the guys is that we cannot afford to have any off nights, and that starts with practice."
The Bulldogs return 14 of their 15 points leaders from last season, but will have to compete with the RedHawks younger, passionate and talented crew.
"(Ferris State) is a good team," senior forward and captain Brian Kaufman said. "They're a very underrated team. They work very hard and block a lot of shots, so as forwards, we have to make sure we're competing and outworking their defensemen."
Sophomore center Carter Camper said the RedHawks need to get on the ice and start the tempo early instead of simply matching the intensity of their opponent.
Eleven of the last 13 meetings of the two teams have been determined by two goals or less, where the Bulldogs have a .500 record in those match-ups.
"(FSU) is going to be a high energy team, and they are going to come after us," Brekke said. "They're going to be aggressive, so we've got to be ready for that and be assertive ourselves and really initiate the play."
The Bulldogs have shot an average of 38.8 shots per game and have an average of 3.1 goals per game. The RedHawks, on the other hand, have an average of 25.8 shots per game and 3.4 goals. Both teams are nearly identical in penalties, and the RedHawks lead slightly in shootouts.
However the game will be treated no different than any other, even if history shows the RedHawks having a slight advantage of 21-19-4 at home versus the Bulldogs.
"We are trying to get into a rhythm of not overlooking any teams and playing the same every game," Kaufman said. "It's easy to get up for the big games, but you've got to stay at an even keel and get up for every single game."
Camper, Kauffman and Brekke all believe that being at home means the RedHawks will have the advantage, even if slight, because of the atmosphere at Goggin.
"We have the greatest fans in the country," Camper said. "Anytime people come into this arena they say it is a tough place to play in."
After the 5-0 victory over Alaska-Fairbanks on Saturday, the RedHawks have the momentum going into the games this weekend.
"I don't think there is any doubt on anybody on our teams mind that when we play our game the way we know we can, that we can be successful every night," Kauffman said.
The puck drops in Steve Cady Arena at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday's match is the first of six events during Superfan Week. Fans can pick up a Superfan Week card at the Red Alert table before the game on the main concourse.
