Miami finishes the 2023 portion of the schedule with a non-conference series at Niagara. The RedHawks have a 5-9-2 record (0-7-1 NCHC) and haven't played since a tie and loss at home vs. Minnesota Duluth Dec. 8-9. The Purple Eagles are 6-10-1 (5-7-1 AHA) this year and have dropped three straight games, including a home-and-home with Robert Morris Dec. 7 and 9.

This weekend's games are set for Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. in Dwyer Arena. The games are available on FloHockey.tv, with Greg Waddell's radio broadcast scheduled to stream on MiamiRedHawks.com Friday and air on WKBV 1490 AM (Richmond, Ind.) Saturday.

The teams had never met before splitting a series in Oxford last December. Miami won 5-3 on Dec. 30, 2022 and Niagara prevailed 5-4 the next day on a game-winning goal by Albin Nilsson, who transferred to join the Red and White this season.

Matthew Barbolini (8-10-18) leads the RedHawks in points and assists. PJ Fletcher (8-7-15) shares the team lead in goals with Barbolini with eight. John Waldron (5-8-13) has a point in three consecutive games. Logan Neaton is 5-8-2 in net and owns a 3.03 GAA and .900 save percentage in 15 starts.

Head coach Chris Bergeron and senior defenseman Dylan Moulton met with the media this week to preview the matchup against Niagara.