It seemed inconceivable for the Icers.

They were losing 3-0 at the end of the first period on Saturday to Michigan State -- a team they beat 10-3 the night before.

"There was a lot of frustration with how we were playing," sophomore defenseman Eddie Kmit said. "We weren't playing like a team."

The Icers (19-4-1), ranked No. 1 in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, were losing to the Division II Spartans (6-12).

But that deficit did not last long.

Scoring nine unanswered goals over the course of the final two periods, the Icers held a 9-3 lead before the Spartans knocked in a meaningless tally for a 9-4 final score.

Senior forward Cliff Graziano turned the Icers back in the right direction with a speech during the first intermission. Then Icer Coach Joe Battista came in and calmed the players down.

"There was no panic from the coaches," Battista said.

The coaching staff may have panicked a little with all the injuries that were depleting the lineup. Seven of the Icers' 20 regulars were out with various wounds. More were added to the list this weekend.

On Friday, senior forward Andrew Strasser hurt his knee and freshman forward Brian Green suffered a mild concussion.

Junior forward Rob Keegan did not play Saturday because he was at his sister's wedding. So senior defenseman John Farrall joined Graziano and sophomore Rich Martha's line. It turned out to be a little different.

"We're good with Farrall, but not really as good with Keegan," Graziano said with a laugh.

But Farrall soon resumed his role on defense as the lines were rotated. Different combinations allowed the coaches to experiment with a new forechecking system that will probably be used for nationals, Battista said. Those combinations stifled the Spartan offense.

Some players with little playing time this season got their chance this weekend. Significant pressure rested on the shoulders of some freshmen, and they did not falter.

Forward Mike Pietrangelo recorded his third hat trick of the season Saturday night to lead the team. His first goal resulted from a footrace with the goaltender. Pietrangelo snagged the puck and with a backhand shot he was on his way to the hat trick.

"I'm getting more confidence in my shot now," he said, "so I guess I'll just have to use it more."

Forwards Tim McNamara and Tom Kozlik scored two goals over the weekend. Jeff Adams notched one goal.

Note:

-- For only the second time this season, the Icers did not have a power play opportunity, Battista said. In the first game of the series, only five penalties were called, four of them coincidental minors. On Saturday, each team scored one power play goal.