After a disappointing loss in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last year, the men’s hockey team is looking ahead to build its momentum and confidence as it opens up its Ivy League season tonight.

Head coach Mike Schafer ’86 has set his goals high this season, and in particular for the Red’s offense. With 15 forwards on this year’s roster, Cornell is ready to reclaim its position in the NCAA tournament as it continues to create opportunities and move the puck better in its offensive zone.

“We have a lot of good forwards up front … they are well balanced. I’m very happy with the depth and we will get more scoring from more lines than we did last year,” Schafer said.

Guiding the attack for the Red, senior Colin Greening along with junior Riley Nash have demonstrated their skills after leading Cornell in scoring last season with a combined 66 points. In addition, returners Blake Gallagher, Joe Devin, Patrick Kennedy, Sean Collins, Locke Jillson and Tyler Roeszler are trying to gain additional time on the ice and improve their statistics. Cornell hopes to utilize these players as secondary scorers as it builds four solid offensive lines.

The Red welcomes four freshman forwards who are already showing great offensive instincts as they come out and try to learn the various systems, despite the faster pace of Division I hockey.

“Freshmen are always going to be a huge factor on our team. This year, we have very skilled freshmen, which we will look to quite a lot. They are going to be a big part of us because we are looking to have four very good scoring lines, which is important to be successful in the NCAA and ECAC games,” said Greening. “So, we are looking to the freshman as the extra little bit that will put us over the edge.”

With three games under their belt, the forwards have already done an outstanding job, including utilizing the various lines in creating effective scoring opportunities. In last weekend’s game against Niagara, Greening, Kennedy and Devin each netted a goal, in addition to Nash’s two assists.

“We’ve been playing fairly well so far. We got 41 shots on goal against Niagara so that shows that we are getting some chances. The puck will go in the net if you keep getting chances like that, so I am pleased with our effort up front,” said junior alternate captain Riley Nash.

To prepare for its upcoming games, the team will focus on getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of its opposition. In better understanding how the other team will play, the Red hopes to come into the game with more confidence and a better strategy.

“We are reading off each other very well for very early on in the season. We are letting the plays progress and not rushing things. Everyone is doing quite well. A lot of the weaknesses are just a learning curve for freshman or people coming back and getting used too playing in our systems … It is more refining as we progress and play more games,” Greening said.