At the conclusion of the Icers' first-round game in the Nittany Lion Invitational Tournament last year, things got ugly. Rhode Island forward Art Hughes struck former Icer Darren Wegner during the post-game handshake. Fights broke out on the ice. Several players from both teams received suspensions.

This weekend, however, the American Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 1 Icers (14-3-1) are looking to avoid similar occurences when they face No. 15 Rhode Island (9-7-3) in the first round of the tournament tonight at 8 p.m. No. 9 Towson State (18-5-2) takes on Erie Community College (10-7) today at 5 p.m. in the other first-round game.

The winners of each game will face off at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the championship game, while the losers will play in the consolation game at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Senior forward Cliff Graziano was among the Icers receiving suspensions last year, but he said the Icers are not looking for revenge.

"What's in the past is pretty much forgotten," Graziano said. "It's part of the game."

Icers' Associate Head Coach Ray Lombra said he is expecting a tough game from the Rams, who have never beaten the Icers in seven attempts. The game is a vital one for the Rams, who need a victory to keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the ACHA championships in Tucson, Ariz.

"They need this game to get into the picture for nationals," Lombra said. "I'm expecting them to play their best game of the year. They've suffered a lot of frustration at our hands in these types of situations."

Although this weekend will be tense, the Icers' coaching staff held relaxed practices so the team can recuperate from the aftereffects of six games in nine days, Lombra said.

Goaltending for the Icers is a question mark. Senior Derek Lecours is riding a hot streak, winning three of the Icers' last five games. Junior Jeff Crispino is suffering from a sore ankle. He received treatment on Monday, but his pain threshold will determine whether or not he will play, Lombra said.

Regardless of who tends goal, the Icers will not be looking past Rhode Island to the championship game of the tournament. It is not a problem Lombra is worried about.

"I'm expecting us to play six good periods of hockey," he said. "Every game we play is laying the foundation for Tucson."