By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OXFORD - When brimming with fans, the arena has a cozy feel befitting the campus on which it was built. Goggin Ice Arena, with its limited seating capacity, barn-like snack bars and low ceiling dotted with black smudges from deflected pucks, may be replaced by a more modern facility in the next few years.

Miami University center Derek Edwardson. (Jeff Swinger photo)

But for now, this season, it's home to a Miami University hockey team considered one of the nation's best in NCAA Division I.

Ranked No. 11 both the U.S. College Hockey Online and USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Top 15, the RedHawks are 14-9-3 overall and lead the Central College Hockey Association by one point over Michigan and Michigan State.

"We don't think it's any surprise," Miami senior captain Derek Edwardson said. "We're not going to be satisfied with where we are.

"We want to be higher."

The No. 11 ranking is Miami's highest since it was third nationally in December 1997.

The RedHawks, who last made the NCAA Tournament during the 1996-1997 season, visit USA Today's No. 14-ranked Michigan State at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"Do I mind? I know they're looking at (the polls)," said coach Enrico Blasi, who played at Miami from 1990-1994, was a member of the 1992-93 regular-season CCHA champions and returned as its coach in 1999. "If you start looking too far ahead or too much into things, you tend to lose focus.

"I know as a staff, and with the leaders of this team, we're not letting that happen."

Edwardson, who is being promoted as a candidate for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, is a primary reason why a third 20-win season in four years is a strong possibility.

One year removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the Morton Grove, Ill., native has 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) and has a plus-12 rating with 10 regular-season games remaining.

He leads the CCHA in four offensive categories - points, goals, assists, power play goals - and ranks among the nation's top offensive players.

"He has everything," Miami senior center Mike Kompon said. "He can play defense. He can go offense (power play). He kills penalties. If someone wanted to look at an all-around best player in the league, it's No. 18. He's the most consistent guy game in and game out."

Miami's athletic media relations office has created a Web site (www.derekedwardson.com) to promote Edwardson as a Hobey Baker candidate.

The winner, which will be announced April 9, goes to the nation's best college hockey player. Past winners include Paul Kariya, Brian Holzinger, Chris Drury and Brendan Morrison.

Former Miami players Brian Savage (1993), Randy Robitaille (1997) and Dan Boyle (1998) were Hobey Baker finalists.

"I'm not on the same level as those guys," Edwardson said. "It's very flattering, and it's an honor. But all we've got to think about from here on is the team. Individual things happen, awards and all that stuff will come if the team does well."

Miami has relied on its seniors, a veteran defensive corps anchored by assistant captain Andy Greene and an infusion of talented freshman.

The RedHawks boast the sixth most efficient power play (22.4 percent) and rank 11th in scoring offense (3.42 goals per game) among Division I teams.

Edwardson, Kompon and senior forward Greg Hogeboom represent Blasi's first recruiting class.

"They've obviously meant a lot to our program," Blasi said.

Kompon and Los Angeles Kings draft choice Hogeboom, who play on the same forward line, have combined for 56 points.

"We were good last year," Hogeboom said, "but with a good freshman class, we're even better this year."

Freshman forwards Matt Christie and Marty Guerin start on the first line with Edwardson and have 22 goals and 21 assists.

Freshman goalie Brandon Crawford-West, from San Diego, has a 2.62 goals against average, a .893 save percentage and the nation's fifth best winning percentage (.765) at 12-3-2.

"Those guys have fed off our seniors," Blasi said.

While there is a proposal to build a new 175,000-foot facility that will house two NHL-sized rinks and seat 3,200 fans in time for the 2006-2007 season, the focus remains the present.

"Our goal is to be playing our best hockey come March," Blasi said. "That's still our goal. We know if we play our best hockey then that we may have a chance."

Miami hockey

Overall Record: 14-9-3

Central Collegiate Hockey Association Record: 11-5-2, 1st place.

National Ranking: No. 11

Up Next: at No. 14 Michigan State, Friday-Saturday

Home Ice: Goggin Ice Arena (2,850)

Next Home Game: vs. Notre Dame, Feb. 6

Starting lineup:

LW Matt Christie, Fr. (18 goals, 8 assists)

C Derek Edwardson, Sr. (14 goals, 22 assists)

RW Marty Guerin, Fr. (8 goals, 15 assists)

D Andy Greene, So. (5 goals, 11 assists)

D Chris Busby, Jr., (4 assists)

G Brandon Crawford-West (12-3-2, 2.62 goals against avg., .893 save percentage).

RedHawks in the NHL: Brian Savage (Coyotes), Kevyn Adams (Hurricanes), Randy Robitaille (Thrashers), Dan Boyle (Lightning), Todd Rohloff (Capitals), Pat Leahy (Bruins, briefly).

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com