As the ice hockey club prepares to entertain the University of Rochester at the Ice Pavilion this weekend, it will deal with something it hasn't had since November 1988 -- a four-game losing streak.

The Icers' current slump, topped by a pair of losses, 9-7 and 5-4, to Erie Community College, has caused Coach Joe Battista to examine the entire team. "Basically, what we've said to them (the players) is that we're going back to the drawing board. It's been more or less a training camp atmosphere, and no one's got their position secured," Battista said. "We're using this week's and next week's practices and this weekend's and next weekend's games to find out who's going to play and who isn't going to play down the home stretch."

As a result of Battista's evaluation, some different faces might play against Rochester.

"We're going to use this weekend to look at a lot of different guys," Battista said. "There are some guys who aren't used to being out of the lineup that might find themselves sitting out, in some cases because we want to see some of the other guys, and in other cases because we want to motivate them a bit."

While Battista will keep his thoughts on the playoff roster, there is also the matter of winning the game. Rochester tied the Icers, 5-5, last season because the Icers, Battista said, took them lightly. Also, Rochester, even at 1-9 in the ICHL, is only one game behind Buffalo State and can still make the playoffs.

Yellow Jackets coach V.J. Stanley, Jr. believes that any hopes of a Rochester win depend on containing the Icers' offense.

"We've got to stop them from skating," Stanley said. "The idea is to stop their weave coming out of the zone, and bang their forwards around, frustrate them and take some penalties, and beat them at the power play."

Although Rochester does have a slim chance at a playoff spot, chances are it won't make it. Battista believes this might affect the Yellow Jackets' style of play.

"The thing you've got to watch out for is that they've got nothing to lose," Battista said. "They can afford to be more aggressive (and) they can try to be physical. They can play a more open game."

NOTES: Defenseman Davis Mulholland may not play against Rochester. He missed Tuesday and Wednesday practices due to a job interview, and Battista does not want to put him in too quickly after his knee injury ... Defenseman Matt Hoffman, who separated his shoulder last Friday against Erie, should be ready in time to play Niagara Feb. 16.