The Miami RedHawks are one of the more intriguing teams in the NCAA Tournament. Winners of nine of their last 10 games, the RedHawks won eight games in a row before falling to eventual CCHA champion Western Michigan in the conference tournament.
NCAA Hockey Tournament 2012: Miami Hopes To Put CCHA Tournament Loss In Rear View
They looked out of place in the 6-2 loss, and nothing like the national title contender they once threatened to be, but it’s possible that loss was simply an anomaly, and the No. 2 seed cannot be taken lightly.
Miami's led by junior Reilly Smith (Dallas Stars), who is second in college hockey with 30 goals in 38 games. Smith is known for his offensive prowess but is also counted on to kill penalties and has good defensive instincts. Miami has a pair of freshmen forwards that give opposing defenses havoc in Austin Czarnik and Tyler Biggs (Toronto Maple Leafs).
Where the team shines, meanwhile, is on defense. With defensemen like Cameron Schilling and two of the top goalies in Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard, Miami’s the second-best club in the nation in terms of goals against per game. Knapp in particular sports an impressive with a .937 save percentage and has only allowed an astonishing 1.58 goals per game.
For more on the road to the Frozen Four in Tampa, stick with our 2012 NCAA hockey tournament StoryStream.
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