Icers surpass expectations
Stay No. 1 while rebuilding

By MICHAEL PALM
Collegian Sports Writer

At the beginning of the season, the Icers set a lofty goal of going to the national championships. It was lofty because 11 freshmen joined the squad for a total of 14 new players. It was expected to be a rebuilding year for the team.

After the first American Collegiate Hockey Association poll, the Icers jumped over Michigan-Dearborn to the No. 1 slot and stayed there the rest of the season.

"This team went a lot further than a lot of people expected them to," Coach Joe Battista said.

Penn State (27-6-1) kept its No. 1 ranking going into the national championships in Tucson, Ariz., March 1-4.

"I think everybody on the team had an inner sense that we were going to win it," junior goaltender Jeff Crispino said.

Injuries took their toll, however, leaving the Icers hindered in the scoring department.

"We were missing too many of the finishers, the goal scorers," Battista said.

After winning the first three games to make it to the finals, the Icers could not keep up with Ohio, losing 4-0.

"OU was clearly the dominant team in that other bracket," Battista said. "If I would wish for anything, it would be that we could meet them when we're healthy."

But that won't happen during the regular season next year. Due to prior conference commitments, Ohio will not be able to do a home-and-home series.

The only time the two teams will be able to meet will be at the national championships. Penn State will not be able to make the trip to Ohio unless a return game is scheduled because of fiscal obligations.

A return match would be welcomed by the Icers because it could have a different outcome, Crispino said.

"I think both of our teams are evenly matched if we were both 100 percent," he said. "(But) we still had the nucleus of the team in the lineup."

In the locker room between periods, Crispino said there was no feeling that the loss was imminent. The team felt victory was still within reach.

"We never gave up," Battista said. "We kept plugging away."

Other factors in the loss were the reffing, Battista said, and the ice, Crispino added.

"I was a little bit disappointed with the officiating because it was inconsistent," Battista said.

Although all the teams played on the same ice, Crispino said the soft ice may have been a factor in slowing down the speedy Icers, while aiding dump-and-chase, grinding teams like Eastern Michigan, he added.

But the Icers were looking to avoid excuses.

After the buzzer sounded, Crispino said he was ready to leave the ice and get out of Arizona. The team had come with one goal. Given an honorable mention for the all-tournament team didn't hold much value for him.

"It doesn't mean anything to me," Crispino said. "The only thing that mattered to me was winning the national championship."

Even with the loss, the Icers are already getting ready for next year. They have conditioning and weightlifting to keep them busy until the regular season starts next fall.

"I hope that the players won't dwell on the outcome of the championship game," Battista said.

Notes:

-- Next season, the Icers will make a European junket, playing three or four games against teams from Germany and Austria.

"I look at it as a great cultural experience," Battista said.

-- Some varsity teams should be visiting Penn State next season. Canisius, an independent Division I team, and Div. III Hobart, will make a trip for a game in the ice pavilion. Colorado State and Arizona State may also visit for the first time.

-- Icer Rich Martha was examined yesterday by doctors for a separated shoulder he suffered against Ohio. Battista said the injury may hinder Martha's training, but the sophomore forward will be back next season.

-- Derek Partlo of Ohio was named the tournament's most valuable player. This was surprising, Battista said. He thought Ohio's goaltender, senior Mike Lee, would have been a better choice. Partlo scored the last goal for Ohio, while Lee stoned the Icers in the final game.

"I thought Lee was a much bigger difference in their games," Battista said.