The Cats (1-5, 0-4 CCHA) host the #1 team in college hockey–The Miami Redhawks (6-0, 4-0 CCHA). The early season schedule against three top 10 opponents is sure giving NMU all it can handle.

Miami Redhawks
The 2007-08 season has been very good to Miami. Thus far, the club is perfect. Even though their schedule has been very weak with five home games against mediocre opponents in UNO, Ohio State and Vermont, being able to win all six is pretty impressive. I wouldn’t rank Miami in the top 5 in the nation, but this club, led by Enrico Blasi is going to be tough to beat this season. Last weekend, the Redhawks breezed by UNO 5-2 and 7-2. Normally, the Redhawks are a great defensive club with just an above average offense. But thus far, they are averaging 4.6 goals a game, and have balanced scoring from a lot of players. Junior Justin Mercier and highly touted freshman Carter Camper have eight points a piece. Plus star forward Nathan Davis has only played in one game, and he normally leads the team in scoring. Normally a two-headed monster in net, Coach Blasi has gone with junior Jeff Zatkoff for five games. He has been impressive as well, posting stats of 1.20 GAA, and a .951 save percentage. This is definitely a solid club.

In the past, Miami has started a series at the Berry Events Center on fire like a wild horse out of the gate. The result often is a win for the Redhawks, followed up by a tired/mediocre performance the next night. It will be interesting to find out how they approach this weekend. Will they try to flex their #1 ranking and big time players and throw everything they have Friday night? or save some juice and energy for two balanced nights?

Predictions
NMU got swept out of East Lansing last weekend in two strange games. After getting down by four goals on Friday and then two goals on Saturday, the Cats stormed back both nights to only fall by one goal each night. Was it a case of MSU lifting the foot off the gas pedal and playing defensive, or all NMU? I believe it was great heart by the Cats. This club didn’t fold up either night and quit like last year’s team often did. Instead, they dug deep and flipped the table on the Spartans, dominating the second half of each game. The only problem was the Cats were too far behind to win one of the games. Allowing MSU to go 4-6 on the powerplay was also a big reason for their two losses. The Cats made a slightly above average offensive team appear to be all-world. The boys simply need to learn how to pay attention to details and follow Walt’s strategies. No excuses for losing the big penalty kill leaders of last season. Just step in and work hard. Give the goalies some help!

Nick Sirota continues to lead the way in scoring with 4 goals and 3 assists.
I think it’s time to give praise to the young Swedes–Gregor Hanson and Erik Gustafsson. Hanson has four assists and Gustafsson has three assists. To come all the way to the U.P., endure a new culture and try to understand Yooper talk, while digesting pasties, is a major tribute to their character and talent. Both guys have also been impressive on the powerplay and should only continue to get better every week.

Despite the 1-5 record, the Cats have been in every game but one this season. A few breaks in their favor could easily make this club 3-3 against some really good opponents. Miami is not as talented as Michigan, nor as savy as Michigan State. After getting six solid games under their belts, the young Cats should be ready to pounce on Miami this weekend. As long as they shore up that penalty kill and help Stewart and Janzen on the D-side, there is no reason why NMU cannot fare very well this weekend.

MU 3 NMU 2
NMU 4 MU 2