With the CCHA tournament finals completed, the Miami University hockey team heads to Worcester, Mass. for the opening round of the 61st Annual NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Championship against Air Force Academy.

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.

Should Miami beat Air Force Saturday evening they will face the victor of the Boston College versus University of Minnesota mach-up in the Northeast Regional finals March 30. If the 'Hawks win that game, they will advance to the Frozen Four to play against the winner of the Midwest region; a region which includes, in order of rank, the University of North Dakota, Denver University, the University of Wisconsin and Princeton University.

Looking ahead to their potential competition, the RedHawks understand they are about to enter the most challenging part of the season.

"We are facing the best teams around the country from here on out," Jones said. "We can't afford to have an off game or an off shift because that might mean the end of our season."

However, regardless of the adversity they are prepared to take it head on. The Red and White has combated stormy weather thus far and are ready to prove they have what it takes to go all the way.

"Both physically and mentally I think this team is ready to make a run for a National Championship," Jones said.

Senior alternate Nathan Davis captain exuded the same confidence as Jones expressing the magnitude of their future opponents as well.

"This is the biggest championship of them all," Davis said. "We are going to Worcester with every intention of winning two games, making it to the Frozen Four, and then all we can hope for is to win that one as well."

The puck is set to drop in Worcester at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Saturday, March 29. The game will be televised live on ESPNU. Should Miami make it to the Northeast Regional Final Sunday, that game would also be aired on ESPNU, with a start time of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The games can be seen in Oxford on these channels, depending on the service provider: Miami University-Channel 62, Time Warner digital cable-Channel 114, DirecTV-Channel 609, or Dish Network-Channel 148.