Craig Irwin left Arizona club hockey’s game in the first period of Saturday night’s game against No. 4 Oklahoma praying that his surgically repaired right shoulder had no serious damage to it.

Irwin is still awaiting an MRI to see if there’s ligament or tendon damage from his awkward fall on the ice, but he’s not expected back until December, targeting the Dec. 8-9 series against No. 10 ASU.

No. 12 Liberty will try to take advantage of the injury against the No. 11 Icecats at the Tucson Convention Center tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

The Icecats (7-4) will make adjustments this weekend against Liberty (12-3) by moving junior co-captain Scott Marshall to center while increasing the playing time for some younger players at the wing position vacated by Irwin.

“”It’s gonna be a huge loss for this team, but everyone just has to step and play better,”” Marshall said.

Icecats head coach Leo Golembiewski said this was a major injury for the team because Irwin’s presence on the ice improves the play of the rest of the team.

“”He’s the heart of this team,”” Golembiewski said. “”You can’t fill Craig’s skates. People have to step up.””

Junior Luke Edwall will be in goal for the Icecats this weekend after missing the Oklahoma series to attend his grandma’s funeral. He has a 2.65 goals against average in 360 minutes of play this season.

The Icecat defense expects to miss sophomore defenseman Kevin West again, but he could be a game-time decision for Golembiewski. West has not played since injuring his shoulder at the Ohio Showcase Oct. 21 against Duquesne.

Liberty uses a solid goaltending tandem of Mike Binnie (2.14 GAA) and Dalton Stoltz (2.43 GAA) that has anchored them all season.

The top goal scorer for Liberty is freshman defenseman Dave Semenyna, who has recorded 14 goals and 16 assists this season.

“”Liberty is a tough team, and we’re going to have to play better than we did against Oklahoma if we’re going to want to win,”” Golembiewski said.