The Georgia Ice Dogs will open up the 2011-12 season Friday night with a game against in-state rival Kennesaw State.

While the Ice Dogs are confident in their abilities, they know that this weekend’s game against the Owls will be no cakewalk. This is the first year that the Owls have fielded a team in Division 3 since the team won the National Championship in 2007.

After that, the Owls moved to Division II. With a program growing in popularity and numbers, Kennesaw State will field a Division 2 and Division 3 team for the 2011-12 season with expectations similar to 2006-07.

The Dogs are looking for that ever so important win in their season opener that could generate momentum for the 2011-12 season. Georgia also has Peter Kacer, who has played with Kennesaw’s Division 2 team in the past and since transferred to Georgia during the second semester of last season.

Kacer had a fantastic half-season with the Dogs, scoring 20 points in 10 games and generating a buzz among the conference. Kacer was picked as a player to watch in a pre-season coaches poll, along with teammates Cam Navis, Bryan Swegman, and goalie Vince DiCarlo.

Kacer is likely to be at top form against his old school.

The Dogs have an excellent netminder in DiCarlo, who will be starting on Friday night. Coach Hoos lauded the returning junior’s abilities, and knows that his “fantastic goaltending” will play a huge factor in earning an important first win.

The puck drops at 9:30 p.m. at the Duluth Ice Forum, in Duluth, Ga.

Tickets will be sold at the door and will be $5.

Duluth Ice Forum Information
2300 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097
(770) 813-1010
www.iceforum.com