The ice hockey club has received an invitation to compete in the National Collegiate Club Championships to be held in Athens, Ohio from Feb. 28-March 4 on the campus of Ohio University.

The top six teams based on the latest hockey club rankings were chosen to participate in the tournament. The six teams selected are (in order of their rank in the polls) North Dakota State, Ohio University, Iowa State, Penn State, Worchester Poly-Technical Institute and Arizona.

Marvion Fletcher, a member of the National Collegiate Club Championship Committee, extended the invitation to the teams, which were each given a week to accept Fletcher's invitation.

Penn State Coach Joe Battista intends to accept the invitation but first must discuss financial funding with Hockey Team Coordinator Vance McCullough.

"Last year we chose not to go." Battista said. "We wanted to concentrate on the ICHL playoffs."

The players are excited about the possibility of playing in this year's tournament and would love to face rival Arizona. Last year Arizona beat the Icers twice in overtime.

"I'm pumped," right wing John O'Connor said. "I am a senior and it would be my first tournament."

If the team decides to go, Battista does not expect an easy tournament. He said North Dakota State is the favorite going in simply because they have won the tournament five years in a row. However, Battista added that if there ever was a year when North Dakota State might relinquish its title, it could be this year. He also thinks that Ohio University, a team with only one loss this season, might pull off an upset.

"They will be very tough, especially at home." Battista said referring to Ohio University. "They will pack the stands with 2,000 screaming maniacs."

Battista hopes only for a good showing by his team. A finish in the top four would be just fine with Battista, who feels his young Icer team must stay free of injuries, tightly check, and finish off its offensive opportunities in order to place near the top.

"We know we have to go all out if we are to win." O'Connor said.

Any team not accepting the invitation will be replaced by one of five teams: Illinois, Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Rhode Island or Buffalo State.