Icecats make 1st final four since 1993

After finishing the regular season with a record of 24-2-1, the No. 2-ranked Icecats traveled to Ann Arbor, Mich., to compete in the American Collegiate National Tournament.

However, youth and injuries plagued Arizona. After beating the Deleware Blue Hens in the first game 8-2, the Icecats dropped their next three games to Michigan-Dearborn, Ohio and Penn State.

"Going to the final four for the 11th time with such a young team was amazing," Icecat head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "It was important for us to do that."

The Icecats' breakdown started during the first game against Deleware when senior and leading scorer Brian Consolino was ejected for checking an opposing player from behind. Consolino, who had 47 regular season goals, was forced to watch from the sidelines when the Icecats played their second game against Michigan-Dearborn.

With their leading scorer benched, the Icecats had to look elsewhere for goals.

Junior center Ben Ruston led the team with five goals and four assists for a total of nine points. Ruston was named as a second-team all star. Senior co-captain Peter Scott had three goals and four assists. Senior Sam Battaglia followed with three goals and two assists.

"We were definitely motivated enough to win in the tournament," Ruston said. "Experience wins tournaments. The younger guys didn't play so well and the puck just didn't bounce our way."

Overall, Golembiewski said the team has nothing to be ashamed of.

"We're really proud of these guys," Golembiewski said. "The thing we have to harp on is that we made it to the final four with only four seniors and 17 freshmen and sophomores. We made it to the final four. We can't be too disappointed."