No. 3 Penn State (16-7) returns to the Ice Pavilion and hosts Maryland at 9 p.m. today and Buffalo (10-8-1) at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Key stats: The Icers look for continued scoring punch from forward Brad Russell, who needs just four points to join the top 10 scoring list, and is only 12 points away from his 200th career point. Buffalo netminder Bill Schwartz put forth a 60-save effort in the Thundering Herd's 4-2 loss to the Icers last season.

Injuries: Defenseman Larry O'Byrne (bruised shoulder) is probable for the weekend. Forward Tom Duhamel (shoulder separation) is questionable.

Preview: Penn State has won four consecutive games and looks to keep the streak alive this weekend. The Icers traveled to Maryland earlier in the season and demolished the Terrapins 18-2. Buffalo is the Eastern Collegiate Hockey League leader with a 7-1 league record.

Coach Joe Battista says: "The Maryland game will hopefully give us an opportunity to get some of the younger guys in the lineup. Buffalo is going to be a tough game. They have an outstanding goaltender and its going to be a good test."

The fencing teams will take to the strip at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Case Western Reserve. Besides Case Western Reserve, this week's dual meets include Cleveland State, Ohio State and Tri-State.

Key stats: Both the men's and women's squads are coming off big performances last weekend that saw each team fence its way to a 6-0 record.

Injuries: There are no major injuries to report.

Preview: Both men's and women's teams must fence well enough to get momentum for next week's bouts with Penn, Columbia and Notre Dame.

Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov says: "I think we will do well. The most difficult opponent I expect is Ohio State. Ohio State is especially strong in women's foil."

No. 23 Penn State (8-3) will be at unranked Villanova (4-3) at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Philadelphia.

Key stats: Villanova is led by junior All-American sprinter Meaghan McCaffrey, and senior Lisa Flood, the 1992 NCAA Champion in the 200 breaststroke. Lady Lions Deni Rudy, Lisa Pastrana, Julie Krail and Jen Baird combined to win eight events last Saturday at Wisconsin.

Injuries: There are no injuries for either team.

Preview: Penn State endured a travel nightmare before defeating Wisconsin 173-127 last weekend. Villanova, the two-time defending Eastern champions, will be the last meet for the Lady Lions before the Big Ten Championships.

Coach Bob Krimmel says: "We can't relax -- the kids have got to be ready to swim. It's like a home meet for us because so many of our student-athletes are from that area."

This weekend's four-team Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Mass., features East Stroudsburg (0-0), No. 4 Penn State (5-1), Ohio State (5-4) and Springfield (0-0).

At 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, OSU takes on East Stroudsburg. Following that, the Lions challenge host-Springfield. On Sunday, the consolation match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, with the championship at 3 p.m.

Key Stats: The Lions are led by senior Ramon Hernandez (87 kills), senior Ed Josefoski (27 total blocks) and sophomore Kevin Hourican (.471 hitting efficiency). The team has totalled 376 kills, 90 total blocks and a .389 hitting efficiency after six matches this season.

Injuries: Sophomore setter Carlos Ortiz sprained his left thumb and was unable to practice until Wednesday. He will most likely start this weekend's matches, Coach Tom Peterson said.

Preview: The Lions are heavily favored to win the tourney. Their biggest challenge is the Ohio State squad, which they swept last week at home in the Mizuno Nittany Lion Invitational.

Coach Peterson says: "Ohio State can be a very good team --especially on the road. We will try to come out and hammer people that we know we can. We owe that to ourselves."

The Nittany Lions will be up against Georgetown, North Carolina, Florida, Wake Forest, Dartmouth, and Villanova in the Mobil 1 Invitational at 1 p.m., Sunday at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

Key stats: Penn State will go into the distance medley relay with R.B. Caldwell running the 800-meter leg, James Robbins on the 400-meter leg, and Phil Mellott on the 1,200-meter leg. Bob Hamer will anchor on the 1,600-meter leg.

Injuries: No major injuries.

Preview: The track team will return to George Mason, the sight of last weekend's Patriot Games. The relays are the only events open to collegiate athletes and the Lions will be competing in the distance medley relay in an attempt to qualify for the NCAAs.

Coach Harry Groves says: "They're going out there to run a very fast race if they can, and everyone else is trying to do it . . . It's a chase and race all the way."