May 26, 2009

2009-10 Schedule

OXFORD, Ohio - A Frozen Four rematch with Bemidji State and a clash with perennial power North Dakota, plus Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) home series against Notre Dame and Michigan State, highlight the 2009-10 Miami University hockey schedule, Head Coach Enrico Blasi announced today. The slate features 17 regular-season games, plus an exhibition, at Steve Cady Arena.

The RedHawks, who are coming off a national runner-up finish in their first-ever Frozen Four appearance, face five teams who were listed in the final USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Top 20 poll of 2008-09. Four other opponents on the new schedule received votes in that poll.

"We are extremely excited with our schedule," Blasi said. "The league schedule is always tough and you have to be ready every week. Our non-conference schedule will give us an opportunity, but be a challenge at the same time -- I believe one that will make us better. We are looking forward to the season and competing against some of the nation's best."

Following an exhibition against the University of Windsor (Canada) on Oct. 3, Miami opens the regular-season with a home series against WCHA member St. Cloud State before traveling to NCAA Elite Eight participant New Hampshire. The RedHawks will spend Thanksgiving weekend in Grand Forks, N.D., for games against Bemidji State and North Dakota. Miami faces the Midwest Regional Champion Beavers, the team it defeated 4-1 to earn a spot in the 2009 championship game, on Friday and UND on Saturday.

The final non-conference series is a two-game set with Robert Morris. The teams will meet at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena on Jan. 8, with the return game in Oxford two days later.

The CCHA schedule features home series with Michigan State (Oct. 23-24), Ferris State (Nov. 13-14), Notre Dame (Dec. 4-5), Western Michigan (Jan. 29-30), Lake Superior State (Feb. 5-6) and Nebraska-Omaha (Feb. 19-20).

This year, Miami and its schedule partner Ohio State will pair up with Western Michigan and Ferris State, meaning those teams will play four games against each other. The RedHawks will face the Broncos on the road Nov. 20-21 and the Bulldogs Jan. 15-16. The two weekend series with the Buckeyes will once again be split with the teams meeting in Columbus Dec. 11 and Feb. 27 and in Oxford Dec. 12 and Feb. 26.

Single CCHA weekend road series take place at Northern Michigan, Michigan, Alaska and Bowling Green.

Times will be announced at a later date.

Season-ticket holders from last year should have been contacted recently about the process for renewing or upgrading seats for the 2009-10 season. Fans needing additional information, or who wished to be placed on the season-ticket waiting list, can contact the Miami Athletic Ticket Office at 866-MUHAWKS (866-684-2957) or 513-529-HAWK (4295).

Printer-friendly format	Email this article