Coming out of a long holiday break, the UK hockey team doesn’t expect a holiday hangover.

“We’re riled up,” head coach Rob Docherty said.  “We have to come out strong to start the second half of the season. We will need 110 percent effort in both games.”

The first game back from a long layoff can pose challenges for players looking to return to midseason form when it feels like the beginning of a new season. The Cool Cats had their first full post-break practice on Tuesday and feel confident they can come out firing despite the relatively short turnaround.

“We do need to get off to a good start and have everyone play well right off the bat,” junior forward Taylor Vit said. “Everyone should be able to get back into gear pretty quickly. Once the game starts we’ll be fine, and it helps we’re at home with a great crowd supporting us.”

Despite it being five weeks since the players slid on the UK sweater, the Cool Cats understand the importance of this weekend in getting the season back on track. A four game losing streak is still a losing streak, even if a loss hasn’t happened in over a month.

“We can’t keep sliding,” Docherty said. “It’s tough to take those losses, but we still know we’re a team to beat. We don’t want to sit back and keep going backwards.”

To put the brakes on the skid, UK looks to beat Lindenwood in what expects to be an even matchup of similar talent and similar styles. UK (17-6) is ranked No. 4 in the Southeast Division, while Lindenwood is ranked No. 5 in the Central Division.

“(Lindenwood) won’t drive down here to lay down and not fight,” Docherty said. “They’re a quality team who have proven themselves in a tough division.”

UK can expect a style reminiscent of teams usually found across the pond. Lindenwood fields five foreign players from Sweden.

“They play a very European style of hockey,” Docherty said. “They have some Europeans on their team and are a wide open style of team.”

The Cool Cats have faced a lot, including DI teams and defending national champions, but nothing quite like what Lindenwood will bring to Lexington.

“We’ve never really played against what we will against them,” Docherty said. “Most teams we play are heavier hitting and more physical.”

But the change in opponents’ style could work in UK’s favor. UK gears itself toward fast-paced play with a high-powered offense.

“We can skate man for man with anybody,” Docherty said. “We have speed across the lineup at every position.  It could be an advantage for us.”

Playing a team that resembles its own style gives UK confidence and a clearer sense of what to expect.

“They have some good skilled players and like to move the puck,” Vit said.  “But we like to play that kind of game too, and we match up well with it.”

UK will field new lines against Lindenwood, in an effort to get more speed, more passing, and less individual play, Docherty said.

“The new lines will take some getting used to,” Vit said.  “The key is talking and communicating on the ice.  I think everyone’s excited, it’s something new and fresh, and hopefully the lines can mesh together quickly.”

While the first games back are not do-or-die, they may be indicative of whether the break helped the team get back on track or if the wheels have fallen off.

“It’s not a must-win,” Vit said, “but we do want to come back and get off on the right foot.”