After Anthony Noreen’s first wins as the Miami University hockey head coach last weekend, the RedHawks are set to play a home-and-home series with the Robert Morris University Colonials.
The RedHawks remain unbeaten through the 2024-25 season with a 2-0-2 record, their first four-game unbeaten run since 2012 when they finished with a 17-7-4 conference record, good for first in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
It’s still early in the season, and Miami has not played any conference games yet, but as the new coaching staff continues to build a foundation, any wins are important.
“Obviously, in the [grand] scheme of things, it’s two wins,” Noreen said. “You’ll take it. It’s what we want and what we need for this program…There was a lot of good, but there’s still a lot of room for growth.”
Despite the result, the weekend wasn’t without its good and bad moments. The RedHawks had to kill off a handful of penalties at crucial times during the two games, mainly a late 5-on-3 on Friday and a five-minute major on Saturday.
Special teams have been the best part of this new era so far, and if the RedHawks are looking to secure another series victory, they will need it to be just as good, if not better, heading into the weekend.
The first power-play unit, composed of graduate student and current scoring leader Colby Ambrosio and his two linemates, senior Matt Choupani and junior John Waldron, along with graduate student Christophe Fillion and senior Connor Hutchison, is a big part of the special teams.
The first three forwards are also linemates at even strength and have shown offensive prowess and chemistry since before the season began.
The RedHawks have had to adjust to a condensed week of practice because the first game of the home-and-home series is played on Thursday instead of the normal Friday slate. However, Noreen and his staff don’t believe there will be any apprehension about shying away from routine.
“Especially at this time in the season, to have that short of a week and get ready for games, to get back on home ice, I think it’s something we’re all excited for,” Noreen said.
These upcoming two games will be the Colonials’ season and home opener. They are looking to build on a subpar previous year in the Atlantic Hockey Association. They finished with an 11-25-3 overall record (7-17-2 in conference play).
Robert Morris’s home opener will feature two special guests dropping the ceremonial puck before the game: Pittsburgh Steelers legend Brett Keisel and Miami alum Ben Roethlisberger.
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Having them there should boost attendance, but for Noreen, it’s an excellent chance for his team to grow closer and face adversity.
“As much as home ice is great, you really become a team and find out what you’re made of on the road,” Noreen said. “When you’re in tough situations against tough teams, to me, it’s where I’ve seen teams come together the most. I think it will be a really good opportunity for us on Saturday when we head to Robert Morris.”
The RedHawks still lead the overall series over Robert Morris at 4-3-0, but the last three matchups have gone to the Colonials. The last time the RedHawks beat them head-to-head was 2007, and they’ll be looking to rectify that this weekend.
The puck drops on the first game at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Goggin Ice Center. The game in Moon Township begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.
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