By Tom Hurley & Char Grimm

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UK hockey host its home opener this weekend with back-to-back games against Ohio University’s D-II squad at the Lexington Ice Center.

The Cats are 1-1 on the young season after opening its calendar last weekend with a 10-3 loss at Slippery Rock before defeating West Virginia 5-1 in Morgantown

Bagging a win with only two games on the board came as a surprise to junior goaltender Aaron Tenfelde.

“We’re a lot better than I thought we were,” Tenfelde said.

Junior forward Jake Boss is confident UK can pick up where they left off against Ohio after defeating the Bobcats twice last season.

“If we play sixty minutes and roll four lines we can beat them,” Boss said.

After opening up with two games on the road, senior goaltender Sal Olivet is looking forward to playing on Lexington ice for the first time this season.

“The atmosphere (during home games) is ridiculous,” Olivet said.

Game one of the Ohio double-header is Friday, Sept. 28 with the second coming 24 hours later on Saturday, Sept. 29. Both games face-off at midnight.

The 2011 home opener saw staff at the rink have to turn away in excess of 300 fans due to the building already being at capacity.

“We get much more of a fan base starting at midnight. Other schools think they’re lucky to get 50 to 100 fans,” Boss said.

Doors at Lexington Ice Center open at 11:30 p.m. EST for Friday and Saturday night’s games with tickets priced at $7.