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Icecats begin final push for tournament

It is time for the stretch run and only the strongest will survive.

Arizona will have to face arch-rival Arizona State four times - twice at home the last weekend of the season - in the next three weeks. UA also hosts a feisty St. Louis squad that has given fits to the fellow American Collegiate Hockey Association powers.

But No. 5 Arizona (12-1-2), must first focus on the task at hand, and that is the Utah Skatin' Utes. The Utes are a ACHA Division two team, and haven't faced the Icecats since 1986.

The Skatin' Utes (9-8-1) are fresh off a 10-7 loss at hands of Stanford. Utah is led by its first line of wing players freshman Taras Turko, and senior captain Ryan Snow. At center for the Utes is senior Mike Tidwell. The trio has combined for 104 points this season.

"Utah is an unknown quantity," UA head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "But no matter who the opponent is we have to play well to gear ourselves for the tournament."

The Icecats used the winter vacation to fight off the injury bug that has plagued it this season. A month's rest allowed the team to rest and prepare for the upcoming stretch and the ACHA national club championship tournament.

Injuries have sophomore defenseman Dave Galardini out indefinitely, and sophomore defenseman Tom Wood is out for the weekend. Galardini has a torn tendon in his middle finger, while Wood is nursing a shoulder injury.

The Icecats may also receive some good news as junior right wing Mike Graves will have the pins removed from his wrist in early February and doctors will make an evaluation on whether or not he is cleared to play with the team. That decision will be made before the last series of the season against ASU.

Look for sophomore Kyle Neary, who was has played roles on the second and third lines the last several games, to be moved back up to the top line with juniors Paul Dorn and junior Marc Harris.

The Icecats coaching staff has moved several players in and out of that role all season, with junior Kyle McNeilance, sophomore Andrew Edwards and freshman Dave Loftus all taking turns.

In net, the Icecats will continue with the tandem that has led them all year, senior Mark Meister and sophomore Jason Morgan.

The puck drops for both tonight's and Saturday's game at 7:30 at the Tucson Convention Center.