SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College ice hockey team opens its home schedule this weekend with a pair of New England Hockey Conference games at the Saratoga Springs City Rink. 
 
The Thoroughbreds host New England College on Friday at 7 p.m. in the annual Pack the Rink night and then come back Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against St. Anselm College. Saturday will feature the Hiller-First Alumni Game at 12:45 p.m. There is no admission charge.
 
Pack the Rink features free t-shirts to the first 150 fans who bring a canned good. There will also be other prizes and the featured Tricycle Races. A free shuttle departs Case Center at 6:30 p.m.
 
Skidmore is coming off an opening game non-league 4-2 loss to Nichols College. The Thoroughbreds, picked to finish fourth in the NEHC, got goals from Owen Campbell and Sam Loizeaux. Jack McDonald had 32 saves in net, allowing three goals.
 
New England College opened with a 4-1 non-league win at Fitchburg State. NEC was picked to finish fifth in the league preseason poll.
 
St. Anslem, the sixth preseason pick, opens its season Friday night at Castleton University.