MARQUETTE -- The Northern Michigan Hockey team got back to work this week after having Thanksgiving week off. It'll be the first time the Wildcats are back at the Berry since a 2-1 win over Michigan State November 19.

NMU has lots of work to do since they sit in ninth place in the CCHA standings. It won't be easy since Miami comes to town riding an eight-game unbeaten streak.

The Red Hawks have won the last four meetings between the school, outscoring Northern 19-5 in those contests.

You don't have to tell the NMU players and coaches how good Miami is. The team says they are well aware of the talent across the ice. "They're a great team," said NMU Forward Brian Nugent.  "They have been for a number of years. It's going to be a tough couple of days this weekend for sure. They've got a lot of talent and they're solid at all positions so definitely a tough opponent this weekend."

Head Coach Walt Kyle takes it a step further, saying he thinks Miami may be the best team that visits the Berry this season. "They're a really, really high end group of people there," said Kyle.  "This kid Riley Smith is as good a player as you're going to see. Their defensive corps is outstanding. A ton of returning guys, a ton of high end guys there, and they have a lot of support people that are very good, so we'll have our hands full."

The 'Cats will be shorthanded Friday night losing defenseman Wade Epp, Kyle Follmer and Scott Macaulay from suspensions stemming from the wild finish in that Michigan State game on the 19th. All three will be back Saturday. Assistant Captain Andrew Cherniwchan is out with a leg injury all weekend.

Faceoff both nights is 7:35 p.m. from the Berry Events Center.