"The slipper fits for this Cinderella team."

That's the way an Athens, Ohio, television announcer described the Penn State ice hockey club after it defeated Iowa State, 4-3, to win the National Invitational Tournament on March 3.

When the Icers departed for Ohio University early last week, the coaches and players were satisfied just to be going for the ride. In fact no one expected the Icers, seeded sixth in the eight-team tournament, to offer much of a challenge to the rest of the field, let alone upset arch-rival Arizona and host Ohio University.

Going into the championship matchup, Coach Joe Battista knew that his team must stay close and win the game in the third period.

"Iowa State was a better hockey team on paper," Battista said. "We knew they were tired though from their Friday night game against North Dakota State."

The game, like all the others, was tightly played. Second period goals by Midge Hutchison and Chris Cervellero gave Penn State a 2-1 lead. However with just 1:15 left in the second period, Iowa State tied the score. Freshman Jim Adams, who had not scored a goal the entire season, put the Icers ahead 3-2 early in the third.

"I had told him earlier in the year that he would get one when we needed it the most," Battista said. "Before he went out on the ice I told him that I wanted that goal now."

With 10:06 to play Iowa State again tied the game. However with just over three minutes left Andy McLaughlin netted the game-winner.

John Gray was outstanding in goal, stopping 35 shots. "With the pressure he was under, it was remarkable," goalie coach Ray Lombra said.

With the victory, Penn State claimed its second National Invitational Championship. The Icers' last title was in 1984.

The Icers' impossible dream began last Wednesday when they faced Arizona. Penn State had not beaten the Wildcats in their past three attempts, including two overtime 7-6 losses a year ago. The Icers did not dwell on the past though. Trailing 5-2 after two periods, Penn State staged a third period flurry, scoring four goals. A power-play score by Dave Murphy combined with goals by Mike Cardonick and Cervellero knotted the score at five. Meanwhile goalie Eric Zinczenko dominated the third period defensively, making 15 of his 31 saves in the last 20 minutes. Finally with just 1:06 left in the game, Lance Riddile, assisted by John O'Connor, knocked in the game winner.

Halfway through the game Battista changed the Icers' forechecking schemes and adjusted the lines. The changes worked and the Icers pulled out a 6-5 victory.

"The keys to this game were our depth and our tremendous conditioning," Battista said. "We wore them down physically."

Perhaps more important than the game itself was the post-game locker room gathering. All year long Penn State has lacked a team chemistry. Battista said that after the Arizona game the Icers "became a family."

The entire family was needed against host Ohio University and the sellout crowd on Thursday night. The Bobcats came into the game with a three-year home winning streak and a 24-1 record.

"They are a bigger, stronger, and more talented team than we are," Battista said. "This game was not supposed to be close."

But the Icers stayed close early and Geoff Martha's rousing, game-tying goal which ended the first period brought Penn State to life.

"After Martha's goal the team gathered in front of our bench and jumped on one another," Battista said. "The OU crowd was stunned."

Bobcat penalties and fatigue led to their demise as Penn State turned a 3-3 first period tie into a 5-3 shocking upset. John Ioia's power-play goal at 9:11 of the second period proved to be the game-winner.

"We used every trick we know to frustrate them," Battista said. "We suckered them into taking penalties."

These penalties led to three Icers' goals. However, goaltending not offense preserved the victory. Gray, starting only his fifth game in goal, made 49 saves. After the first period, Gray slammed and locked the door on the Bobcats. Ohio University had never been shutout in a period at home before. Gray did so twice in succession.

"There was a good hint I would play," Gray said. "It was a big surprise when I started the game though."