From KY Insider
By Audrey Makowski
It’s rivalry weekend for Kentucky Club Hockey as the Wildcats prepare to take on the Louisville Cardinals in a highly anticipated matchup. UK will look to bring its best performance to the ice against its in-state rival.
As the club prepares for the weekend, here are five things members of the Big Blue Nation should know before the puck drops.
- The Battle for Kentucky Bragging Rights
Whenever Kentucky and Louisville face off, there is more at stake than just another win.
The rivalry between the Wildcats and Cardinals extends across multiple sports, and hockey is no exception. Both teams will be looking to make a statement and claim bragging rights over their in-state opponent.
As of Nov. 4, Kentucky sits at no. 11 in the ACHA Men’s Division-I rankings, while Louisville remains outside the top 25. This weekend presents another opportunity for the blue and white to prove themselves against a familiar rival and give BBN something to celebrate.
- Jake Laube Looks to Keep His Momentum Going
One player fans should keep an eye on this weekend is Jake Laube.
Laube leads Kentucky with 60 points this season in 27 games played, with an average of 2.22 points per game. The senior winger has established himself as one of the Wildcats’ biggest offensive weapons, and his continued success could play an important role against Louisville.
With the intensity of a rivalry matchup, the Wildcats will need players like him to step up and create opportunities offensively.
- Kentucky Will Need to Bring the Energy Early
Rivalry games often bring additional intensity, making it important for the Wildcats to establish their presence early rather than playing from behind.
Despite Kentucky’s impressive season, it cannot afford to underestimate Louisville. Establishing an aggressive offensive presence early could help take control of the game and set the tone for the rest of the matchup.
The Wildcats will need to capitalize on scoring opportunities, maintain possession of the puck and limit costly mistakes that could give the Cardinals an advantage.
- Kentucky Has Only Two Losses This Season
Kentucky has put together an impressive season, suffering just two losses, both of them coming against Purdue.
The Wildcats have consistently found ways to come out on top, showing their ability to compete and build momentum throughout the year. They have also won every game by more than two goals, showcasing offensive strength and ability to control games against opponents.
One example of the offensive dominance came against Cincinnati, when they secured a commanding 10-4 victory.
UK’s offensive success extends beyond Laube, with Nick Delaney and Preston Hazelton also making significant contributions. Delaney ranks second on the team with 41 points, while Hazelton has recorded 25.
These dominant performances throughout the season give Kentucky plenty of confidence heading into rivalry weekend, but will need to bring that same level of intensity against the Cardinals.
- A Chance to Make a Statement
Beyond the rivalry, this weekend gives Kentucky an opportunity to build momentum as the season continues. A strong performance against Louisville could provide the Wildcats with additional confidence heading into their upcoming games.
During last season’s matchups, Kentucky and Louisville split the two-game series, with each team securing a victory. The Wildcats dominated the first game with an 8-2 win before falling to the Cardinals 5-3 in the second matchup.
With both teams earning a win last season, Kentucky will look to come out on top this weekend and prove its dominance over its in-state rival.
Game one will take place today, Nov. 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET in Louisville’s Iceland Sports Complex before the Wildcats return back to Lexington Ice Arena for game two on Saturday, Nov. 7 for some midnight fun on campus.
(Originally published at https://kyinsider.com/kentucky-club-hockey-five-things-to-know-before-louisville-110626/)
