Miami, FL
Miami hockey’s plans for bye week and final stretch of the 2023-24 season
The Miami University hockey team’s schedule ramped up significantly after the new year. The team has played five straight National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) series, including four against ranked teams, two of which were in the top 10 in the nation at the time. Two of their five series were back-to-back road trips.
Now, the RedHawks finally get a break.
While the team’s bye week will have impacts from a practice and player recovery standpoint, the rest of the schedule is important to remember going in.
What the rest of the season will look like
First, on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24, they take on the Denver University Pioneers, who are currently ranked fifth in the nation. The Pioneers will be coming back home from an away series against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
Then, to start the month of March, the No. 18 University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks will come to Oxford for the last home series of the 2023-24 season. The Mavericks are the last team in the NCHC that Miami has yet to face this season.
Finally, the RedHawks will head back on the road for their final regular season series of the year, and their second series against the Western Michigan University Broncos, who are currently ranked 13 and could end up higher by game day on March 8 and March 9.
After finishing the final series, the RedHawks will participate in the NCHC postseason, with their first matchup being in the quarterfinals in a best-of-three series, likely against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
As of now, the focus is on the bye week, primarily regarding getting rest and potentially getting a couple of players back.
How the RedHawks are making the most of their bye week
For head coach Chris Bergeron, getting rest is essential over the early part of this bye week, but when it comes to the on-ice work, the focus will be on the defensive zone and conditioning.
“We need to work on our d-zone coverage,” Bergeron said. “I think we need to work on our conditioning a little bit for one more stretch … We’ll get some rest mentally and physically over the first few days of this week, and we’ll go back to work and prepare for Denver, which we know is a very long trip and difficult team to play against in their rink.”
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The name of the game at this point is using the week off to buy time for players to come back from injury and the others to get rest, as Bergeron said.
Two names came off the rather extensive RedHawk injury list: senior forward Matthew Barbolini and junior forward Raimonds Vitolins returned and immediately contributed in the most recent series against St. Cloud State University.
Goaltender Logan Neaton and sophomore forward William Hallén are waiting to re-enter the lineup, as Bergeron classified their injuries as a “week-to-week” issue.
If the RedHawks were to add those two at full health, it would be another energy boost for a locker room that wants to win as many games as possible down this stretch, especially given the results they had for three series straight despite their excellent efforts.
Miami’s place in the NCHC standings is likely decided. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t use this bye week as a huge advantage to regain some reinforcements, find the right energy, create a strong mindset and focus on fixing the issues that were exploited against St. Cloud State. Their game is good enough to beat anyone, and this final stretch will be about testing their character as well as their on-ice ability.
middleje@miamioh.edu
Miami, FL
WPLG Local 10 Becomes the Home of the Miami HEAT
WPLG Local 10 and the Miami HEAT on Monday announced a newly expanded media rights agreement, making Local 10 the home of HEAT basketball across South Florida.
Beginning in October with the 2026–27 NBA season, WPLG Local 10 will air all non-nationally televised HEAT games on free, over-the-air television. This agreement ensures that all 5.8 million viewers across South Florida will have access to HEAT games throughout WPLG’s full broadcast reach.
The partnership extends beyond HEAT game coverage, providing fans with unparalleled access to comprehensive HEAT programming. Viewers can enjoy special content such as the Miami HEAT Annual Gala Special, the Miami HEAT Family Festival Special, and additional exclusive programming—all available free on Local 10.
“We are thrilled to be the One and Only, Home of the Miami HEAT” said Bert Medina, WPLG President & CEO. “No matter where our viewers want to watch the Miami HEAT on cable, satellite, over the air antenna or our FREE streaming APP. Our mission is to make sure they have easy direct access to every game on our air.”
In addition to broadcast coverage, HEAT games will also be available on Local 10’s new free streaming platform, LOCAL 10+ Platinum. The platform allows fans to watch games on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, along with additional exclusive HEAT content and specials.
“We’re very excited to be on Local 10 this upcoming season,” said Michael McCullough, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Miami HEAT. “Last season was a great experience not only for the HEAT and Local 10, but the fans as well. The increased viewership proved the strength of this partnership and the benefit of having the local reach of WPLG was unmistakable. We’re looking forward to taking this to the next level this upcoming season and giving HEAT Nation a truly special viewing experience.”
The HEAT and Local 10 will announce the full 2026–27 broadcast schedule, along with additional programming and content, following the NBA’s official schedule release later this summer.
HOW TO WATCH:
Stay connected to South Florida’s favorite news, sports, entertainment and the new home for Miami Heat coverage with the Local10+ Platinum app — available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, LG Smart TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, iPhone, Android mobile devices, tablets, and any web browser on your computer.
Whether you are watching from your living room, your phone on the go, or your laptop, Local10+ Platinum gives viewers access to live news, weather, sports, entertainment, and premium South Florida content across multiple devices.
DOWNLOAD & WATCH NOW:
Roku, Apple TV, Android Smart TVs, LG and Amazon Fire TV.
For mobile: Visit Local10.com and click on the banner at the top of the page.
Or watch it on the web at https://local10plusplatinum.maz.tv.
Once you download the Local10+ Platinum app, you will unlock TWO separate live streaming experiences packed with the content South Florida viewers love most.
The first stream delivers the live 24/7 broadcast signal of WPLG Local 10, featuring Local 10 News, “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy!,” breaking news coverage, special programming, entertainment, Miami Heat games, and more — just like watching traditional television.
Due to programming rights restrictions, this live broadcast feed is only available to viewers located within Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties.
The second stream is a dedicated 24-hour Local 10 News channel available worldwide with no geographic restrictions. Watch live newscasts as they broadcast, and when live coverage is not airing, stay informed with continuous replays of the latest newscast until the next live event begins.
From smart TVs to mobile devices and web browsers, Local10+ Platinum makes it easy to stay connected to Local 10 content wherever available.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Miami, FL
Miami Dolphins Discussion: Who’s Going To Be There Edition
When our Miami Dolphins are struggling, the attendance of their games at home naturally dips quite a bit. This, of course, comes with the territory, especially for the fans that reside in South Florida, where there’s always plenty of other things you can be doing with your time and money almost any day of the year. Now, though, we are facing a new season, and we do not expect the team to be great, but due to the new regime and the massive overhaul of the roster, there is, at the very least, a ton of curiosity among many of us fans. We all want to see what theis new coaching staff and new players will give us even if the final product is still at least another season or a couple of seasons away.
So this evenings Phinsider Question Of The Day is:
Which of you will, or will try to either go to a home and/or away Miami Dolphins game in person for this upcoming season?
Please share your thoughts and answers in the comments section below-
Miami, FL
Dolphins OC fuels breakout buzz for underused second-year playmaker
Few would disagree that the Miami Dolphins’ best overall player, pound-for-pound, is running back De’Von Achane. There’ll be no argument from me on that front. A player who could get some votes from defensive-minded fans might be linebacker Jordyn Brooks — another fantastic contributor who’s been the heart and soul of the defense for the past two seasons.
Ahead of the 2025 season, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was consistently drawing rave reviews from reporters covering practice sessions. He made good on that billing by excelling in the team’s exhibition games. While fans lamented his lack of playing time, the reality was he was buried behind Brooks and the rock-solid Tyrel Dodson on the depth chart. The situation was painfully similar for second-year running back Ollie Gordon II.
Despite showing some flashes early in the season in short-yardage situations, Gordon’s usage was sporadic. He only reached double-digit carries once, in the Week 8 demolition of the Atlanta Falcons. On one hand, it’s a fantastic thing that De’Von Achane was healthy for 16 of 17 games — on the other, Gordon represents a perfect complement to the diminutive and speedy Achane, and increased usage could make good on that potential.
The Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik, used evocative language that forecasts a bigger role for Gordon in 2026, should he seize the opportunity.
“The biggest thing with Ollie is not only is he big — he runs big. When we have pads on, you’re going to hear him run. It’s not one where he’s just going to silently kind of sneak through the line of scrimmage. Everyone’s going to feel — it’s going to sound like trash cans are banging back there. There’s something to that. The O-Line gets energy from that when they feel the physicality from a runner.”
The Achane–Gordon pairing at running back is oozing with potential — as long as the Miami Dolphins are willing to commit to it
De’Von Achane is listed officially at 5’9″ and 191 pounds, while Gordon II clocks in at 6’2″ and 225 pounds. The pairing is a perfect recipe to keep a defense as off-balance as possible. Achane is quick enough to dodge raindrops — for a defense to go from trying to catch a rabbit to bracing for a runaway train from one play to the next is the kind of offensive strategy that could pay huge dividends.
Gordon’s body of work in the NFL doesn’t jump off the page. His 70 carries for 199 yards (2.8 per-carry-average) with three TDs don’t necessarily scream superstar in the making. It’s important to note, though, that he often got the call in short-yardage situations.
Gordon had 25 rushes on downs where the line to gain was one, two, or three yards. After converting on eight of his first 10 attempts (80%), he only converted eight of the final 15 (53.3%). For the season, he converted on 64% of his short-yardage attempts. Among 68 running backs who had at least 10 attempts in short-yardage last season, Gordon’s 64% ranked 29th.
While hardly a comparison to these backs’ overall body of work, respected and proven stars such as Bijan Robinson (60.87%, 43rd), Saquon Barkley (59.38%, 47th), and Derrick Henry (55%, 55th) are prime examples that it’s not all on the RB. Anyone out there who chooses to label Derrick Henry a liability in short yardage should do so at their own risk. Once again, not a comparison. Just an observation.
The hope is that with first-round pick Kadyn Proctor joining the team, the Dolphins may see a surge from their interior offensive line. At 6’7″ and 352 pounds, Proctor will never fail due to a lack of size or athletic ability. This is truly a rare athlete with a unique build — he’ll go as far as his work ethic takes him. If you’ve started to notice a “largeness” theme emanating from South Florida, it’s intentional.
Jon-Eric Sullivan discussed the concept in one of his introductory press conferences, stating: “There’s a saying in our business, fast gets slow but big doesn’t get small.” Well, sir, we heard you, but after the draft and free agency, now we see you. We’ll have to wait to see how it translates, but no one can say Sullivan wasn’t about what he said.
Ollie Gordon II — Dolphins fans hope you’re listening. The marriage between Gordon’s playstyle and the new coaching staff’s tenets is a match made in heaven. If he makes good on his own athletic gifts and untapped potential, the Dolphins may well have their next Ricky Williams in the building.
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