The RedHawks (18-9-1, 11-6-1-1) are coming off a sweep of Colorado College that left them 6-3-1 over their last 10 road games.
“We’ve had to do it on the road the last month and a half,” coach Rico Blasi said during his weekly media conference. “Hopefully, we’ll have a little bit of an edge being at home, but it doesn’t matter where you play the games. Everybody is going to bring their best.
“We knew the schedule was not kind to us in the month of January and early February, but it is what it is and you have to make adjustments. I thought the guys did a nice job staying focused.
“It’s nice to be home. It’s a big weekend. Playoff hockey is here.”
Gametimes this weekend against the Bulldogs (18-11-1, 10-7-1-1), who are just four points behind the NCHC co-leaders, are 7:36 p.m. on Friday and 7:05 p.m. Saturday. UMD also is just two points ahead of fifth-place Denver for the final home ice seed in the NCHC tournament. Eight Bulldogs have scored at least seven goals, and freshman goalkeeper Kasimir Kaskisuo has posted a 2.31 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Miami and UMD split a two-game series in Duluth on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, each game decided by one goal.
“We expect the same,” Blasi said. “Like I said, it’s playoff hockey. We have a lot of respect for the way they play and the talent they have.”
Friday’s game has been designated as a “glow out.” Fans who purchase red Miami glow-in-the-dark T-shirts from the Goggin Pro Shop or Miami Bookstore can help illuminate a darkened Steve “Coach” Cady Arena before the game. Fans can “Skate with the Hawks” after Saturday’s game. Tickets also are good for a free skate rental.
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