Oxford, Ohio — Sitting in MSU hockey’s way of a trip to Joe Louis Arena is a series with one of the top ranked teams in the country: Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks sit atop the CCHA and third in the NCAA, and the upcoming matchups will be far from easy for the Spartans. Here’s a few things the MSU hockey team needs to do to break Miami (Ohio):
1. Simple plays. It’s been something the team has struggled with all year. Head coach Tom Anastos said earlier in the season that he thinks some players were trying to do too much and force plays to work, instead of making simple looks. A key to beating Miami (Ohio) will be simple passes and simple plays — nothing fancy.
2. Continued solid goaltending. If the season has indicated a strong spot in the MSU roster, it’s the goaltenders. Freshman Jake Hildebrand has been a force for the Spartans all season, keeping them in games night-in and night-out. Junior Will Yanakeff starred in two of the three games against Alaska last weekend, and Anastos noted it seemed like he’s regained his confidence. I’d be shocked if this key is one that fails.
3. Carry over momentum from Alaska. The Spartans weren’t expected to beat Alaska in the first round of the CCHA playoffs last weekend, and they aren’t favorited to win this weekend either. MSU is carrying over a fire from that series, and that’s one thing people can’t analyze when looking at statistics and rosters. Miami (Ohio) is coming off a first-round bye, and it’s tricky to say whether the rested team will be at an advantage or the hot team will.
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