The Arizona Icecats close out the 2004-2005 regular season Friday and Saturday in the Tucson Convention Center Arena. After the final goal is scored, the Zamboni will clean the ice and hockey will be played there again soon enough.
But for six members of this Icecats squad, Saturday night will be the final time they play for head coach Leo Golembiewski before a "Madhouse on Main Street" crowd.
"It's sad that (this weekend is) the last time (I'll play at Arizona)," goaltender Bryan Aronchick said.
Aronchick became the first Arizona goalie to work the pipes 100 or more games in a career this season.
The Philadelphia native said he plans to return to his home state to work as a golf course manager upon graduating from the UA.
"I won't miss getting hit by pucks for an hour and 15 minutes every day for four years," he said with a laugh, adding he will miss the camaraderie associated with being a part of the team.
Forward Shaun Brooks joins Aronchick in completing a four-year career with Arizona this weekend.
"There are too many to list," he said of his favorite moments at Arizona. "After four years, we're real close as a team."
Brooks said being a part of the Icecats was important to his college experience, particularly given the size of the university.
Brooks, a native of St. Albans, Vt., became the 45th Icecat in the program history to notch 100 points.
He said before returning to Vermont to enter the workforce, he will travel to Europe.
Like Brooks, Keith Mitchell will travel after graduation. The second-year defenseman said he is planning a trip to New Zealand.
Travel is a theme for Mitchell, with his Arizona tenure coming to an end.
He said his parents are making the trek to Tucson from his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, to see his final collegiate games.
Mitchell said he has had a lifetime of great moments playing with the Icecats.
"There are a lot of locker room memories, but I can't really talk about those," he said with a laugh.
"But Nationals two years ago (was a favorite moment). Those were some awesome games," he said.
"I'll miss the camaraderie, the friendship with (teammates), but I won't miss the 12- or 14-hour bus trips," he said.
With Mitchell's departure, Golembiewski said Arizona loses a player who always gave his all.
Forward Don Holtz transferred to Arizona from New York's Fredonia State in 2002.
In just three seasons, the winger from Jefferson Hills, Pa. left his mark in the record books as the 43rd 100-point scorer in program history.
He said last month's upset win in Utah over Weber State and a victory against then-No. 5 Lindenwood last year stand out as two of his favorite Icecats moments.
"I love being on the team. It was a great experience," he said. "Hockey teammates are closer (than in other sports). It's something only hockey players understand."
"We've had a lot of fun on road trips, especially after four years," defenseman Mike Smith said.
"It's been great bonding on and off the ice," he said. "It's always a good time."
Golembiewski said Smith brought the Icecats plenty of exuberance on the rink and away from it.
"He played every position for us except goalie at one time or another," Golembiewski said.
Golembiewski said when a player has contributed up to four years, his departure leaves a void.
"Every player brings something to the table," he said, pointing out Aronchick's dependability in the net and Holtz's and Brooks's offense.
The sixth Icecat saying goodbye at the completion of this season is forward Mickey Meehan, the third Meehan to play for the Icecats, Golembiewski said.
Meehan's Icecats career ended prematurely Jan. 8 when he suffered a knee injury.
Golembiewski said Meehan was one of the most prolific scorers to wear an Icecat uniform.
"Mickey was the best scorer of the three," he said of Mickey and his brothers, Icecats assistant coach Brian Meehan and former winger Kevin Meehan.
Golembiewski said he hopes his program is a catalyst for players' lives beyond the ice and beyond college.
"College isn't the real world," he said. "We use hockey as a vehicle to teach these kids about life.
"I want to be a mentor, not a coach - a teacher, not a coach," he said. "Often times (a coach is) not the players' favorite person, but (a coach's) job is to help them be successful in the future as well as the present."