FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia begins the 2014-15 men's hockey season Friday determined to score more goals, which in turn should translate into more wins.

The Blue Dvils play host to two SUNYAC opponents this weekend, the Cortland Red Dragons on Friday and the Oswego Lakers on Saturday, encouraged after two weeks of practice in which offensive play was stressed.

Head coach Jeff Meredith touched on an increase of overall team speed as the main reason he expects his team to improve on last year's team average of 2.50 goals per game, which was last in the SUNYAC. The Blue Devils were 7-13-6 overall and 4-7-5 in the conference.

"They (spectators) are going to see a different kind of hockey this year," head coach Jeff Meredith said. "They're going to see more plays. We've got a good collection of guys who are more skilled and at the same time have grit and the ability to read the ice, get their heads up, and make plays."

That assessment is shared by junior defenseman Mitch Kaufmann (Red Deer, Alberta). "I think we've lost some of size this year," Kaufmann said, "but I think we've made up for it with our speed."

"We're making the right strides here in practice," junior center Taylor Bourne (Calgary, Alberta) said, "to put a real emphasis on scoring goals this year."

Last year's leading scorer, senior left winger Stephen Castriota (Bellport, N.Y.), is anxious to pick up where he left off. He had 10 goals and 10 assists in 2013-14.

"We've been practicing for two weeks now beating up on each other," Castriota said. "It's going to be nice to take it to somebody else for a change."

Game time each night is 7 p.m. with the Steele Hall Ice Arena doors open to spectators at 6 p.m.