Journal-News.com

OXFORD — It's back to business for the Miami University hockey team, which returned to practice Wednesday, April 2 after head coach Enrico Blasi granted the RedHawks two days off to rest and relax.

Blasi said it's time for his team to stop looking back and relishing the victories over Denver and Minnesota-Duluthe in the NCAA West Regionals.

Next up for Miami is the most important contest in program history, its national semifinal game against Bemidji State at the Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.

"Last night we met for an hour or so as a team," Blasi said. "We kinda went through the experience again, making sure everybody had a moment to share their favorite moment from Saturday night (the 2-1 victory over Minnesota-Duluth), and now we've sort of put that to rest."

Rest is the key word for the RedHawks.

"With all the excitement, you really do need a week off, logistically," noted Blasi, whose team must deal with game preparation, travel preparation and media interviews.

And the RedHawks will have to become re-acquainted with Bemidji State.

The two programs have faced each other in just two games, during the 2000-01 season when Miami swept the Beavers 4-2 and 4-2 in Bemidji, Minn., which is located about 180 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Bemidji State became the first overall No. 16 seed to advance to the Frozen Four, though the Beavers do know something about postseason play. They already own national championships in NCAA Division II and III and NAIA.

"They're very fast, very quick, very offensive," Miami senior captain Brian Kaufman said. "We'll have to make sure we take care of business on our defensive end first."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

Next game

What: Miami RedHawks (22-12-5) vs. Bemidji State Beavers (20-15-1) in national semifinals

When: 5 p.m. Thursday, April 9

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

TV: ESPN2

Radio: CBS Radio network