A turnaround may be in sight for the Illini Hockey Club when the last place St. Louis University Billikens come to town this weekend. The Billikens have been in a tailspin losing 14 of 15 games and have yet to win a conference game this season.

The Illini will have to once again win without five starters and regain the momentum they lost in the let down against Michigan-Dearborn last weekend.

“We need to come together as a team and just play like we know how to play,” senior forward Scott Kohler said. “But most of all we need to focus on defense first and I think that good things will come from that.”

Defensive zone coverage was worked heavily in practice to avoid the communication problems and overall lack of discipline the team had last weekend, said senior forward Steve Krates.

“With all the work we’ve done on defense, the players feel more confident in their assignments and who they cover,” he said.

The Illini are also looking at this weekend as a way to get back on track before the stretch.

“It is our first home series of the semester, playing the always hated St. Louis, and we’re looking to bounce back from last week,” Kohler said. “Two solid wins will definitely get us on the right path.”

But since the starters have been out, it’s also a weekend the Illini can use to prove, to themselves and the league, they can win without the top five, Kohler said.

“We want to show that we are a deep team and have weapons up and down the lineup,” he said. “It would send a loud and clear message to the league that we are the real deal, and a team that no one wants to play against when we get our guys back.”

The team knows these are winnable games, but isn’t taking them lightly. It was just a year ago when St. Louis upset the Illini 3-2.

“St. Louis always gives us a tough time,” Krates said. “They are a hard working team, and because St. Louis is so close, some of their players know guys on our team and adds to the rivalry.”