It’s been a crazy week so this weekend’s preview is going to be pretty short.

Tonight the #16 Miami RedHawks (2-4) host 18th ranked Lake Superior State (5-1) in a CCHA series at Steve Cady Arena. The Lakers sport a fancy 5-1 overall record but they’ve fashioned against some of the “weak sisters of the poor” having compiled it against the likes of Alabama-Huntsville, Michigan State and Bowling Green – three teams that are a combined 6-12-2 with Bowling Green having four of those wins. In contrast, Miami’s three opponents sport a combined record of 12-4-1 with the RedHawks having the only victory over Colgate so far in 2011-12. The strange Thursday-Friday series is due to Miami’s Homecoming football game against Buffalo on Saturday afternoon that will literally draw 5 fans. In fact, so many fans that you couldn’t possibly host a football game followed by a hockey game on the same night. But, I digress.

As usual, the Lakers are led by head coach Jim Roque who is in his 7th season behind the bench. Roque carries an all-time record of 85-108-39 into the weekend’s series. In contrast, Miami head coach Enrico Blasi is 262-169-46 all-time and and impressive 23-8-1 against Lake Superior despite Miami’s dismal overall 37-54-11 record against the former NCAA powerhouse.

On the ice, the Lakers are led by sophomore netminder Kevin Kapalka who offers another test for the offensively-challenged RedHawks. Kapalka, who took over the starting job in the middle of last year, has been impressive sporting a 1.84 GAA and .926 save percentage. He has allowed just 11 goals in 6 games. Offensively, the Lakers aren’t lighting up the scoreboard having netted just 17 goals in six games (2.83 per game) and there aren’t a lot of marquee names to write home about.

But, until Miami shows its defensive mettle and its stable of young, talented forwards start finding the net, even offensively-challenged teams like Lake State aren’t to be taken lightly. Miami should sweep this series, but they’ve yet to put together a truly solid game, let alone weekend. It’s time to make that happen.

Do work boys.

Weekend Outlook – Double Lantern Weekend – Miami SWEEP

Friday  4-2

Saturday 4-1