UW-Platteville hockey skated off to a new season with a few hurdles to overcome. The Pioneers are 0-4 to start the year, following a 12-8-1 season last year.

“We have not had the start that I expected but we are still trying to get used to the new players and team chemistry,” Vice President Mark Kruger said.

“[Losing] a couple of key players has been a little tough on the team, but with the new talented freshmen that we have gained, the season will soon turn around,” Kruger said.

The new talent has been a struggle for the Pioneers to overcome, Kruger said. Time and practice has been spent on training the new players to ensure they understand the game, instead of team development as a whole.

“As soon as we become accustomed with each other’s style of play, then I expect we will be a team to be reckoned with,” Kruger said.

The Pioneers have also lost a few players  due to injuries, leaving the team with 20 healthy players.

Kruger said the team will be working on different line ups due to injury, which will allow the new players a better understanding of the game.

“We are a well balanced team. The freshmen bring an amazing amount of talent and our returning scoring leaders, Jake Liedkte and Kevin Nolen will hope to lead our offense,” Jason Cebulski, public relations spokesman, said. “More freshmen defensemen [will be] paired with our returning defense, such as captain Aaron Frach who will be in charge of holding down the defensive zone,” said Cebulski.

The Pioneers will host the University of Toledo in their home opener at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Hockey home games are held at  the Slice Arena in Monroe, Wis.