After defeating Millersville University handily in the season opener, the ice hockey club will be looking for more of the same when they take on The College of New Jersey in the home opener.

Temple (1-0) ambushed Millersville (0-1) for five goals in the game’s first 10 minutes en route to a 6-3 win last Saturday. Despite the win, coach Jerry Roberts emphasized the importance of maintaining a complete, 60 minute effort from now on.

“From our perspective, we have a much broader view of the season,” Roberts said. “We know that the way our team played in the Millersville game won’t cut it in the bigger games we really want to win.”

Sophomore goalie Eric Semborski will start in goal in the place of starter Chris Mullen, who will have the night off.

“In having goaltenders so close in talent and potential, we want to make sure they both have opportunities to make statements,” Roberts said. “We’re giving Mullen the night off and he’ll be in there Sunday [against Lehigh University].”

Freshman Jon Plester will be Semborski’s backup and could see time against TCNJ, where his older brother Jed plays as a forward.

“Completely unrelated to the fact his brother is playing on the other team, there aren’t many chances to get [Plester] ice time,” Roberts said. “We’re hoping our guys play the way we want them to so that we will have an opportunity to get him playing time [tonight].”

TCNJ is coming off of a Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference championship last year, and will open their season with the Temple game.

As was the case last Saturday with Millersvillle, the expectation from Roberts and the rest of the coaching staff is a win.

“[TCNJ] is similar to Millersville,” Roberts said. “They’re in the same conference and they’re an opponent that we intentionally scheduled in the beginning of the season. We’re expecting a win.”

-Andrew Parent