The Pioneers travel to Oxford, Ohio, this weekend for an NCHC showdown with the resurgent Miami RedHawks. Can DU keep its 2016 mojo going?

Overview: This series feels like it got a lot tougher and a lot more important for both teams after Miami (9-11-3) swept UNO at Omaha last weekend. After a 4-2-1 start, the RedHawks went 2-9-1. Another 4-2-1 run to start 2016 has them back in the NCHC and national conversations. With three wins in a row, Miami (4-8-2 NCHC) now sits just three points behind Minnesota-Duluth for fourth place in the NCHC and has its eye on playing host to a first-round playoff series. In addition, the RedHawks have moved up to 20^th in the Division I PairWise Rankings (considered a good barometer for placement in the 16-team NCAA Tournament field). DU resides at 13^th in the PairWise after its eight-game unbeaten streak (5-0-3) in 2016. Earlier this season, both teams were swept by conference leaders North Dakota and St. Cloud State, but the RedHawks swept Western Michigan (DU went 1-0-1) and split with UMD (DU went 3-0-1). However, Miami was swept by Colorado College, which DU swept. The RedHawks, who saw their top three scorers from a season ago and four of their top six either graduate or sign pro contracts or both, typically dress 7-8 seniors and two juniors.

Offense: It is scary to think about where Miami’s offense would be without a pair of freshmen forwards. The RedHawks’ average just 2.35 goals per game (29^th in the nation) in spite of impressive debuts by Jack Roslovic (team-high 18 points and nine goals) and Josh Melnick (15 points). Roslovic was a first-round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2015. A coach whose team faced Miami this season called Roslovic “very impressive for an 18-year-old. He was the guy we were worried about.” Junior forward Anthony Louis, a Chicago Blackhawks prospect, is second in the team in scoring with 17 points and the RedHawks’ leading returning scorer, and senior Sean Kuraly, a San Jose Sharks draft pick whose rights were traded to the Boston Bruins in the Martin Jones deal, has 13 points. The power forward was described as “a handful” by the coach. Sophomore Louie Belpedio (11 points), a Minnesota Wild prospect, and senior Matthew Caito (nine) add firepower from the blue line. Belpedio in particular stood out to the opposing coach. “He’s one of the best D-men in the country.” Before Saturday’s seven-goal outburst at Omaha, the RedHawks has managed as many as four goals just once in 22 games. With DU boasting the 19^th-stingiest goals allowed in Division (2.54 per game) and it’s goaltending situation on the upswing, Miami could struggle.

Defense: Conversely, the RedHawks rarely give up more than three goals. It’s only happened five times and every time it came against a ranked team (Providence, St. Lawrence, North Dakota twice and Minnesota-Duluth). Their average of 2.70 goals-allowed per game is 27^th-best nationally. Miami plays two senior goaltenders, with Ryan McKay (5-9-2, 2.56 goals-against average and .905 save percentage) playing more often and having slightly better numbers than Jay Williams (4-2-1, 2.62, .904). They face a DU offense that is 20^th in Division I, scoring at a 2.88 clip.

Special teams: If Miami has a decided advantage it’s that its penalty kill is the top-ranted one in Division I, killing of 93.8 percent of its shorthanded situations (75 of 80). DU’s power play has shown some life recently and connects at a 16.9 percent clip (15 of 89 chances, 34^th in Division I). The RedHawks also feature a decent power play (19 percent on 15 of 79), with Roslovic (five PPGs) and Caito (three) doing most of the damage. DU’s penalty kill is 15^th nationally at 84.7 percent (61 of 72).

In conclusion: On paper this seems as though it should be a low-scoring series, one in which special teams could make a huge difference. The opposing coach said one key to beating the RedHawks is to play a heavy game, particularly with their younger players. “Last year they were pretty stacked. They aren’t quite as talented as that group, but they’re still a pretty good team. I really respect what they’ve done at that program.” Miami’s improved play of late and its collection of pro prospects will make this a tough test for DU, which boasts better depth and hot goaltending.

@MagnessMayhem