By Larry Mullenix
Arizona Daily Wildcat
With a 3-0 record to start off the season, the Arizona Icecats are showing the domination that people in Tucson love to see out of them.
But with the team's series against Colorado this weekend at the Tucson Convention Center, the competition should become more fierce.
Even though the Buffaloes are only 2-4, Icecat coach Leo Golembiewski is expecting tough physical play both tonight and tomorrow night at 7.
"They are a young team similar to ours in the fact that they have a lot of freshmen and sophomores who get time," he said. "They have always had good goaltending and they like to mix it up so we are expecting that to happen this weekend."
The Icecats have looked impressive on the scoring end with a combined 29 goals over the first three games, but have lacked the discipline that Golembiewski has stated is the pivotal point to this season.
"I'm concerned about the discipline on this team because the lack of discipline has forced us to do some juggling with our lines that you would rather do without," he said.
Last weekend the Icecats didn't have Peter Scott for Friday and this weekend they will not have Kiva Gippo tonight because he was involved in an altercation in Saturday's win.
Golembiewski has had great things to say about the line of Scott Oztekin, Sam Battaglia, Nate Soules, Jon Muntz and Chris Noga, who recorded the first Icecat hat trick of the season last Saturday.
"That whole line is really acting as a five-member unit," Golembiewski said. "Chris has played well like I thought he would, and Oztekin is doing an exceptional job as the quarterback. Battaglia, Soules and Muntz have all played well and thus that line has been excellent thus far."
In last weekend's series against Cal, Golembiewski put into effect a wrinkle, a fourth line comprised completely of freshmen, which was successful and which he plans to continue to utilize.
"We are going to use that line all season because it is a success in two ways: it allows us to get our freshmen the experience that they need while allowing our other lines to rest," Golembiewski said. "It's a long season and to be successful you have to keep rested."
The team's four co-captains Ä Soules, Oztekin, Noga and Steve Hutchings - have all proven so far that they are ready for the responsibility that their teammates put on their shoulders.
"The leaders are playing great and, just as importantly, they are leading the guys off the ice," Golembiewski said. "That is what I think a leader is supposed to do."