If you have not made it to the Tucson Convention Center yet this season to witness the madness of an Arizona Icecats game, you're running out of time.

Michigan State arrives in Tucson tonight to mark the final weekend of a season-long 16-game homestand for the Icecats.

Ice-time constraints and the distant location of the majority of the Icecats' opponents led to one of the longest home stretches of any Icecats season, and UA is probably hurried in to take its show on the road.

The Icecats have compiled a 10-3-1 record at the TCC during the homestand, with two very competitive losses coming against top-ranked Penn State.

Their only other defeat of the season came against rival Arizona State, and UA has since handed that Sun Devil team lopsided losses of 8-1 and 7-1.

Head coach Leo Golembiewski said he realizes his team must finish the homestand strong and he hopes this weekend can prepare them for a tough seven-game road trip over the next few weeks.

"Michigan State will be a tough challenge. They've beaten a top-five team earlier this year," said Golembiewski, whose team heads to the Philadelphia area for three games next weekend. "You keep adding games to the equation, but we know these next five games are really important for our season."

When the Icecats begin that stretch tonight, they will once again be without the services of senior co-captain Kevin Meehan. Meehan injured his knee two weeks ago in the Penn State series, and he has yet to rejoin his team in practice. He is scheduled for an MRI Jan. 24 for a definite diagnosis of his injury.

The Icecats will also play tonight's contest without Matt Naylor. The junior forward received a game disqualification for fighting in last Saturday's victory over Colorado State. Naylor's absence comes after he exploded for five goals in his last five periods of play, forcing the youthful offensive depth of the Icecats to shine this weekend.

Golembiewski has praised the efforts of his defensive unit's leadership all season long, and the senior-laden group looks to close out the home stretch with a win.

One of the physical Icecats blue-liners all season has been senior Dave Galardini. The co-captain is one of only five seniors that will dress tonight, and he anticipates another weekend of getting the puck deep and banging in the corners.

"It should be a good weekend. They're a tough team and I expect it to be pretty physical," Galardini said. "I feel bad for Kevin being hurt in his senior year and missing these home games."

The Icecats (12-3-1) will have two more home contests with ASU after the upcoming road trip to close out the regular season. Tonight, they continue a stretch that will play a big role in determining where the Icecats are positioned for the American Collegiate Hockey Association national tournament in March.

Thus far, Golembiewski has applauded the work ethic and desire of his squad that boasts a roster with 12 freshmen.

"This has been a tough year," Golembiewski said. "We're a young team - we only have six seniors - so you have to give this Icecat team a lot of credit for what they've done."