But the RedHawks have an intriguing story to tell all their own. Now they get to do so in the national title game.

A program that has steadily risen in prominence took one giant leap forward on Thursday evening at Verizon Center. Sophomore Tommy Wingels scored two goals and added an assist and teammates Alden Hirschfeld and Bill Loupee each scored as well to help Miami knock off underdog Bemidji State — the tournament’s No. 16 overall seed – 4-1. It advanced to Saturday’s championship game against Boston University, where a win would give the university its first NCAA title in any sport.

The RedHawks  (23-12-4) have had plenty of NCAA experience in recent seasons, qualifying for the 16-team field five of the last six years. The previous three ended with losses to Boston College — in the first round in 2006 and in the quarterfinals in both 2007 and 2008. But what was expected to be a rebuilding season has instead turned into the program’s finest.

“I can tell you that losing in the finals of the regional the last two years, it’s actually been good preparation for right now because you can’t go into these games nervous,” said Loupee, a senior forward. “It’s really helped us experience what the loss and the season end would mean and we know what we’re trying to avoid. We’re playing for something huge now.”

Miami took a 2-0 lead in the second period thanks to a pair of goals from fourth-line wingers Wingels and Hirschfeld, a freshman. The Beavers answered with a power-play goal by sophomore forward Matt Read at 10 minutes, 46 seconds of the second. But exactly one minute later, Miami took control for good on a goal by Loupee that made it 3-1. The majority of the sellout crowd of 18,427 was ready to cheer for the Beavers. But they could never sustain any offensive pressure and were smothered by Miami throughout the third period.

“We didn’t have the puck pursuit.  We weren’t relentless.  We didn’t

play as fearless as we did last weekend,” said Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore. “But you’ve got to give Miami credit.  They played great and they really out-muscled us.”

Bemidji State sophomore goalie Matt Dalton finished with 33 saves. Miami freshman goalie Cody Reichard recorded 24 saves. The Red Hawks added an empty-net goal with 2:08 left.

“For our team right now, we have one more step to go,” said Miami coach Enrico Blasi. “And so we’re not looking ahead…But I sure hope that everybody’s enjoying it back in Oxford, Ohio. I think my phone is still going off with text messages.”

The Beavers’ Cinderella run ended one step shy of the national title game. They had beaten Notre Dame, a No.1 seed, and Cornell, a No. 3, to reach the Frozen Four for the first time since joining Division I in 1999. Bemidji State (20-16-1) had previously won 13 championships at the NAIA, Division III and Division II levels.

“We had the opportunity of playing in one of the greatest venues in the world, in one of the greatest cities in the world. And it’s memories that last a lifetime,” Serratore said. “When you lose it stings. But you have to get over it. After you reflect back and you look at it – you’re proud that you were able to participate in an event like this.”