No. 3 Penn State. No. 5 Ohio University. No. 6 Eastern Michigan. No. 13 University of Rhode Island. Four ice hockey teams; one tournament -- the Nittany Lion Invitational. Here, in the Ice Pavilion Friday and Saturday evenings.

Most tournaments are structured, regardless of location, so that, theoretically, the top two teams will meet in the championship game. That's what the fans want.

Especially when the host team is the top seed. Common sense says to schedule the weakest team, so as to ensure a spot in the championship game before a capacity crowd.

Applying this logic, it leads one to believe that Penn State should host Rhode Island in the semifinals, and subsequently face Ohio University in the finals.

But guess what. The Icers will definitely play the Ohio Bobcats, but in the evening contest of Friday's semifinals. The earlier game pits Eastern Michigan and Rhode Island. Huh? Is there a method to Coach Joe Battista's madness?

Most certainly.

"Most people have said I probably should have my head examined for doing it this way," Battista said. "I really believe that the time has come for us to find out just how good we are. We haven't been challenged that much this year."

"I was surprised," defenseman Mike Messner said. "I guess Coach didn't want to put us against URI, because we had already played them."

The Icers beat Rhode Island 5-1 Nov. 30 at Rhode Island.

The best case scenario for the team is obviously two victories. Beating Ohio on Friday night and Eastern Michigan (the probable opponent) the next night, will bolster the team's confidence going into nationals on Feb. 26-29.

"If you can't win two tough ones back to back, what's going to happen when you play four in a row (to win at nationals)," Battista said. "We look at it as an opportunity for us to really find out something about our hockey team." But what if the master plan fails, and the Icers fall prey to a Bobcat team, thus ensuring at least a third place finish in its own tournament?

"Losing to Ohio University will be of far greater value to us in the long run," Battista said. "But I certainly don't plan to lose to them."

The last time Penn State faced either Eastern Michigan or Ohio University was in last year's national tournament. The Icers narrowly defeated Eastern Michigan 3-2 in the opening round. In the consolation game, Penn State beat Ohio University 3-2.

"We are really pumped," forward Dave Murphy said. "OU has been a rival the past few years. I know they get up to play us, too. They are really looking for a rematch."