How rugged is the top of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association this season? So tough that although Miami (Ohio) was the preseason pick for No. 1 in the USA TODAY/USA Hockey magazine poll, the RedHawks were rated third in the CCHA in votes by conference coaches and news media who cover the league.

“Polls are polls. We’re thankful we are in the top half of our league and that some coaches picked us No. 1,” says Miami coach Enrico Blasi. “If you look closely at our league, there are three or four teams who easily could have been No. 1 as well.”

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