WINDSOR, Ont.- After making it as far as the conference finals for two consecutive seasons, the Windsor Lancers men's hockey team is set to make another run for the Queen's Cup title and a spot in the CIS University Cup championship.

The Lancers will kick-off the season on their new home ice at South Windsor Arena this Friday and Saturday evening, when they take on the Carleton Ravens.

After finishing with a sparkling 18-9-1 regular season record, good enough for second in the OUA West conference, the Lancers powered their way through the first two rounds of the divisional playoffs, sweeping the York Lions and Guelph Gryphons en route to a West finals appearance for the second straight season. Windsor surrendered just four goals over the opening two series, as Parker Van Buskirk put on a goaltending clinic against both the Lions and Gryphons. However, the Lancers ran into an upstart Waterloo squad that stole Game 1 of the conference finals with a 3-2 overtime win in the last ever Lancers hockey game to be played at "The Barn" before taking Game 2 at home to end Windsor's Queen's Cup hopes.

The outlook for 2013-14 is a positive one for the Lancers, as they are returning their top four point producers from last year. This includes Spencer Pommells and Evan Stibbard, both of whom cracked the top ten in OUA scoring last season. Pommells tallied 38 points to lead the Lancers while Stibbard was tied for third in OUA goals scored, notching 18 markers and recording 37 points. Stibbard was named a first-team OUA West all-star, while Pommells was given a second-team nod.

Drew Palmer notched 10 goals and 15 assists to compliment the scoring up front, and will take over as captain of the men this season. Christian Steingraber led all Lancer blue-liners with 25 points, including five goals, ranking him fourth in the conference amongst defencemen.  Van Buskirk, entering his senior year of eligibility, will look to build from his playoff success last season where he put together a formidable .937 save percentage and 1.91 goals-against average in leading the Blue and Gold deep into the post-season. Van Buskirk garnered a 2.83 goals-against average and .909 save percentage to go along with 14 wins in the regular season.

The Lancers will not be without a couple of significant losses this year, as former captain and OUA Randy Gregg Award winner Brett Vandehogen graduated following last season. First-team OUA all-star and West division defenceman of the year Steve Ferry also completed his education, leaving holes at both the front and back of the line-up.

Head coach Kevin Hamlin hopes to begin filling those voids with his 2013-14 recruiting class, which includes OHL veteran Julian Luciani. The defenceman played for Belleville, Ottawa and Sarnia between 2008 and 2012 before joining the GOJHL's St. Catherines Falcons last year, where he led all blue-liners with 22 goals and 68 points.

Winger Matt MacDonnell will add some power and depth to the forward lines, as will Mike Christoue and Richard Cameron. Christoue recorded 31 goals and 61 points for Niagara Falls (GOJHL) and was a stellar face-off man, while Cameron will bring defensive stability up front.

The Lancers and Ravens will open the season at South Windsor Arena this Friday and Saturday night, with puck-drop set for 7:30 p.m. on both evenings.