The Arizona Icecats need to move up three spots in the next two weeks in order to avoid missing the postseason for the first time ever.
After dropping a spot despite beating No. 5 Lindenwood, the Icecats said they are not exactly happy about the new rankings.
The top 13 teams in the American Collegiate Hockey Association's season-ending poll make it into the national tournament. In the poll released before the UA's split at No. 9 Weber State last weekend, the Icecats dropped a spot to No. 16. Curiously, Arizona State jumped up from No. 19 to No. 12 despite losing its previous two games to the Lions, and despite its record of 11-11-3.
Since starting 5-6-1, Arizona has gone 5-3-1.
"We're 10-9-2, but we're a lot better than 10-9-2," Golembiewski said.
Golembiewski said the Icecats have received e-mails lamenting the poll. The next poll is due out Feb. 6 and the deciding poll will be out on Feb. 16.
Return of Pelletier key to Icecats' resurgance
A big part of the Icecats' recent resurgence has been the return of sophomore defender Mike Pelletier and senior defender and captain Keith Mitchell.
Mitchell, though currently nursing an ankle injury sustained in a postgame fight with Lindenwood, returned late last semester from a back injury. Pelletier recently became eligible after losing last semester to ineligibility. Since coming back, Pelletier has been putting on a clinic, tallying 10 assists despite sitting out last Friday because of his role in the fight.
"That first semester without Mitchell and Mike Pelletier, those were two tough losses ÷ two of the most experienced defensemen," Golembiewski said.
Mike Pelletier is the brother of sophomore forward D. J. Pelletier, who transferred to the UA this year to play with his brother. The Pelletiers went to high school in Tucson.
UA fans snap up tickets for Glendale Arena game Though Glendale Arena is 130 miles away from Old Main. the Arizona Icecats' game against Arizona State in the Phoenix Coyotes' arena may have more UA fans than ASU fans.
Earlier in the week Arizona sold out its allotment for Saturday's game at the brand-new arena, but the Sun Devils still have between 50 and 60 tickets remaining from their allotment.
Tickets can be purchased the day of the 1:30 p.m. game for $7. The ticket office opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. NHL game between the Coyotes and Dallas Stars can be used for admittance for the Icecats game as well.
Arizona's next home game is against ASU Feb. 20.