The lights were dimmed, and goalie Jeff Crispino skated onto the ice. The Penn State faithful erupted. In section C sat Jon Bravard, watching the Icers take on the Delaware Blue Hens in the American Collegiate Hockey League championship confrontation on Saturday.

"Hockey is the only thing that belongs on ice . . . except for bourbon," the Lock Haven resident said. "What is ice skating and ice dancing? It's hockey which takes place on ice."

During the game, Bravard backed the Icers with his one-liners and constant snide remarks directed toward the referees.

"What is this -- we're getting mugged down there," the 34-year-old screamed. "In prison, they get 10 to 20 for muggings like that. What part of the rule book haven't you read -- the whole thing? That's so lame."

One thing that wasn't lame was the excitement level in the stands. Each time the Icers scored, fan Harry Nelson rejoiced.

"Our crowds are consistently the largest all over," he said. "From a fan's point of view, it doesn't get any better than this -- it's magical. Sometimes when the Icers go on the road, they play in front of some empty stands."

On Saturday, the stands were overflowing with supporters. Most Penn Staters wore Mellon bank buttons which read: "PSU -- Nice on Ice!" And the Icers didn't disappoint their fans, ousting Delaware 6-3.

"There's nothing like playing in front of our home crowd," defenseman Erik Lightner said. "In big games, the fans get into it."

As the Icers skated into their locker room at the end of the third period, the fans seated toward center ice raised a banner. It read, "Now . . . Bring Home A National Title."