When the puck drops at center ice at 9 p.m. tonight, Penn State ice hockey fans will witness a rebirth of one of Penn State's most heated rivalries. Villanova and Penn State have not met on the ice since the early 1980s. However, Coach Joe Battista still considers the Wildcats to be Penn State's oldest rival.

"It's a shame that there has been an interruption in the series with them," Battista said. "We are really looking forward to this meeting."

Battista expects the competition with the Wildcats to be intense, especially when the Icers travel to Villanova for tomorrow afternoon's game. Many of the Penn State players are from the Philadelphia area, and playing in their "backyard" will be all the motivation they need.

"I am very excited about playing in Philly," Icer John Ioia said. "With the long season, we don't get a chance to go home very often and see family and friends."

Battista believes the trip to Philadelphia will also give alumni and potential recruits an opportunity to see the Icers in action.

This weekend the Icers (8-5-1) also will continue searching for the most effective line combinations. They are expected to play five different lines, each of which has practiced together for the entire week.

"We are still evaluating what lines we will use down the homestretch," Battista said. "We are looking for the top 13 players to play during crunch time."

Battista believes either Chris Puscian or Eric Zinczenko will start in goal despite John Gray's outstanding performance a week ago.

"Gray hasn't had the game experience the other two have had," goalie coach Ray Lombra said. "We are confident that he will be ready to play when we need him."

Battista considers every step of the way from here to be a building process for the Icers. It is a process Battista believes will continue through this weekend's games with Villanova and hopefully culminate at the end of the season.

The sign posted outside the Icers' locker room reads: "IT IS UP TO US!" This accurately describes the situation which the Icers now face. If they win their last four ICHL games, they would finish ahead of Erie Community College and Buffalo State, and

Notes: John Ioia will not play tonight because of a suspension, however, he will be eligible to play in tomorrow's game. Penn State (8-5-1) is in third place behind division-leading Niagara (11-2) and second place Erie Community College (10-6).