By
Chris Suffecool
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Arizona hopes to prove themselves yet again
A week after traveling to Delaware and sweeping the No. 6 Blue Hens, the Icecats will return home this weekend for their toughest home stand of the season - a two-game set against Towson University.
The No. 11 Tigers are the highest-ranked team to come to Tucson this season and bring with them a 14-4-1 record.
Of the team's four losses, three came against the Delaware squad that Arizona beat last weekend. The Tigers' only other loss came against No. 2 Penn State.
Since losing 3-1 to Delaware on Dec. 1, the Tigers have posted a record of 6-0-1.
Included in this stretch are impressive victories over No. 12 Rhode Island and No. 19 Navy. Their most impressive game was not a victory however, but a 5-5 overtime tie against Penn State.
"I'm not exactly sure how good they are still," junior forward Kyle Neary said. "A tie with Penn State is still a pretty good accomplishment. They (Towson) have a good chance of being our toughest home game of the year. We just need to come out, play hard, play our style, and hopefully that will be enough to get a win."
Members of the team said they believe the games this weekend could be similar to what will happen March 1-5 when the Icecats host the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships.
The top 12 teams in the country are invited to the annual event.
"It will definitely provide for a playoff-type atmosphere," senior forward Kyle McNeilance said. "Any team in the top 12 will be a good game, a competitive game. It is a good preparation for nationals."
Although the Wildcats are coming off an impressive road sweep, they are not overlooking the Tigers.
"They've got a pretty good team, it's going to be a good battle this weekend," UA senior forward and co-captain Marc Harris said. "We've got to remain focused. We had a great weekend in Delaware. We've got a goal this year, and we've got to come out and prove it every game."
While Harris believes the games will be good battles, he said that Towson might not be as good as their record indicates.
"They're not one of the top teams, it's not like Penn State or Ohio coming in here."
Chris Suffecool can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu
