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MU faces OSU in home-and-home

Miami players, including junior defenseman Chris Joyaux celebrate a goal.

Photo by Lauren Olson, Photography Editor

By Steven Perkins, For The Miami Student

The Miami University men's hockey team is gearing up for another in-state home-and-home series after a split with Bowling Green State University. This time, the RedHawks face off with the Ohio State University Buckeyes.

Miami is on the road for another Friday in Columbus, before hosting the Buckeyes Saturday.

The Buckeyes opened their season last weekend with a pair of overtime games against then-No. 3/4 Providence College. Ohio State won the first game 5-4 and lost the second 2-1.

Head coach Enrico Blasi recognized Ohio State's talent this year.

"Watching them on video, they are a very dangerous offensive team," Blasi said. "I thought their goaltending was extremely good too."

Buckeye sophomore goalies Christian Frey and Matt Tomkins made 53 saves on 59 shots during the weekend.

Ohio State's offense was also effective, as the Buckeyes tickled twine five times Friday including. Three of those goals came off the stick of junior forward Anthony Greco, earning him the NCAA third star of the week.

Junior defender Chris Joyaux said there's no reason to be worried.

"I think as a team as long as we come and compete and prepare ourselves this week I think we'll be ready to go," Joyaux said. "As long as we're working hard I think our goalies will back us up."

Senior Blake Coleman said it's less about Ohio State and more about what Miami can do as a team.

"We don't really look at our opponent as much as where we need to get better in our game," Coleman said. "But [Ohio State] is going to be a tough test."

The RedHawks have a dangerous offense as well. Miami scored two goals Friday and three Sunday against Bowling Green. They also put up 11 in their second preseason game against Simon Fraser University.

"We're still just looking to get better," Coleman said. "We're definitely not where we want to be yet."

Blasi said there's not one specific aspect of the game the team is looking to improve on, but rather continuing to play good hockey and put together a full 60 minutes.

"I thought we did a lot of good things on Friday, I thought we did a lot of good things on Sunday," Blasi said. "But we haven't played 60 minutes yet and in order to be a great team and a team that is going to contend in the end you have to learn to play 60 minutes consistently."

Miami opened the 2013-14 season against Ohio State in a home-and-home series, in which the 'Hawks won both games. They beat the Buckeyes on the road 6-2 and at home 6-3.

Puck drop for Friday's game is 7 p.m. and Satuday's is set for 7:05 p.m.

Fans can listen to the game live on redhawkradio.com