Fall break will leave the TCU ice hockey team short-handed in the two-game series against Texas State-San Marcos this weekend.

Head coach Derrell Upton said the team is going to focus on conserving its energy during the game by letting the Bobcats come to them.

“If we have to make a few minor adjustments along the way, we will, but other than that, we’re not too worried about how they play,” he said. “We’re just going to do what we do and let them try to adjust to us.”

Upton said the team was going to play with more caution because of the lack of depth available this weekend. There will be shorter shifts on the ice and more line changes than usual.

The Frogs will have the same systems and strategies, but they will be focusing on making the smarter decisions on the ice, Upton said.

Although it has been three weeks since TCU played its last series against Texas Tech in September, team captain Michael Authier said he does not think the break in play will negatively affect the outcome of this weekend.

“We have a few guys out because of fall break so that puts a little more pressure on other guys,” Authier said. “They’ll get a little more ice time and I’d like to see them use that ice time affectively.”

Authier said the team has been practicing and spending time together off the ice to continue building chemistry. He said he would like to see some wins, but what is most important is that the Frogs don’t forget why they are playing the game.

TCU (0-3) is looking for its first win of the season while Texas State (2-9) is on a seven-game losing streak. The Bobcats have not won a game since the second week of September.

Texas State lost to Ferris State University 16-3 on the road in Michigan the last time they played.

The first game will be away at the Ice Training Center in Richardson at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The second game will be home at the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.