For the majority of the season, the Icecats (2-7) has been lead by five players with different styles competing individually. 

Nine games into the season, the Icecats have yet to consistently play as one unit striving for the same goal. To win, that chemistry needs to develop this Friday and Saturday as they take on the University of Colorado (8-2) in a two-game series at the Tucson Convention Center.

“”I think guys need to realize that the season is at stake and possibly nationals if we don’t start winning games,”” said freshman forward Brian Slugocki. “”Everyone needs to realize that everyone needs to contribute and play their game in order for us to win.””

The Icecats haven’t been able to string together a complete game from start to finish during their four-game losing streak. The defense has given up too many goals, and the offense has not scored nearly enough. Not exactly a wining combination.

Senior defenseman Austin Capobianco claims that this is the most offensively lethal group he has played with during his four years. But the Icecats’ struggles don’t have as much to do with the personnel as =their chemistry.

“”These guys can all shoot, they can all score, they can all take hits,”” Capobianco said. “”They can all do everything that they have to, it’s just they have to be together.””

Chemistry has clearly been an issue for the team, which has only scored nine goals in the last four games — all losses. The team is struggling to find scoring chances. Seeking out those opportunities around the net has been the coaching staff’s biggest point of emphasis this week in practice.

“”We have to shoot the puck more,”” said head coach Leo Golembiewski. “”We’re trying to put some combinations together that will shoot the puck and that’s what we’ve been working on all week.””

The coaching staff has once again made some line changes, which they hope will finally jumpstart the offense.

They have only played nine of 33 games, but if the Icecats hope to gain notoriety in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, they must find that chemistry and translate it into some wins.

The Icecats have the talent, now they just need to perform. The intensity needs to be high, the chemistry needs to improve, and the Icecats need to start getting some wins.

“”We’ve got to start finding some way to unlock their potential,”” said associate coach Dave Dougall. “”We’ve run out of excuses as to why we’re not performing out there.””