Kentucky hockey is off to a 4-1-1 start as it looks to replicate last season’s success and go even further beyond with eyes set on the national championship.

To make it that far, however, the team will need key contributions from a few fresh faces.

Of the 38 players on the roster, 20 of them are in their rookie season, with 10 having played in at least three games so far.

This trial by fire has yielded good results as, out of Kentucky’s 22 goals, six have come off the sticks of freshmen, as well as 15 of the team’s 50 total points.

Center Ty Patefield has become a pivotal part of the team’s offense as he is second on the team in total points and leads the rookies in goals with three while forwards Macklin Yelle and Alex Clingerman have each contributed one and two goals respectively.

Even those without as much of an offensive footprint so far are finding their groove within the Wildcats’ physical and staunch defense that has only allowed eight total goals.

 As a team, the Wildcats have given up only 1.3 goals against per game and some key defensive contributions have come from the likes of rookie defensemen Cole Bartnick, Nick Hahn and Kelly Thompson.

The Cats’ freshmen will have to continue to rise to the occasion as the season progresses if the team is to reach its aspirations.

Kentucky has had a good start to its season, winning four of the first six games and sitting in first place in the division — second in the conference — however the majority of its games have come at home.

The team — and its freshmen especially — will be tested once more with three of the next four games coming on the road.

The Wildcats next face Miami (OH) at the Lexington Ice Center on Friday, Oct. 4, before going on a three game road trip.