No. 1 Icers looking to diffuse Mountaineer’s scoring bombs

By KEVIN BRICKER
Collegian Staff Writer

Offense.

The West Virginia men's ice hockey team has redefined that term this season. With prolific scoring led by 1997-98 second-team Div. I All-American Mike Sargo, the Mountaineers have charged opponents with an offensive juggernaut.

"They have been playing really well lately," said Penn State senior Joe Bassett. "We're expecting a great offensive surge in them."

The No. 1 Icers (16-1-0) hope to defuse West Virginia's offense this weekend as the No. 11 Mountaineers (15-3-4) come to Happy Valley for a pair of American Collegiate Hockey Association games at 9 p.m. today and 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Ice Pavilion at Greenberg Sports Complex.

Penn State wants to avoid a letdown after two road wins against No. 5 Arizona and one against No. 14 Arizona State last week.

"I think this may be one of the toughest weekends for us because we're coming off a real high," Icers' coach Joe Battista said. "They're a very well-coached team and (coach) Ty (Newberry) is a terrific tactician. I think he has them playing as good as a team can play."

Lately, the Mountaineers' scores have resembled finals from football games. On a recent road swing through Colorado they exploded with 45 goals in three games, demolishing Colorado by scores of 18-3 and 10-5. Then they continued their scoring exhibition a day later with a 17-4 lashing of Denver University.

"We have some players who can score some goals," associate head coach Jeff Anderson said. "But it's not really important for us to score a lot of goals to win."

On Oct. 30 these two squads clashed in Morgantown, W.Va., where the Mountaineers jumped to an early 2-1 second-period advantage. But Penn State countered with four goals in the period and eventually won 8-3.

But since that loss the Mountaineers have navigated their ship closer toward a bid to the ACHA Tournament in early March by compiling a 9-2-3 mark during that span. And with victories over West Chester and Indiana (Pa.), they're riding a seven-game unbeaten streak.

Simply put, Penn State faces a rejuvenated West Virginia squad.

"We're a different team now," Anderson said. "Guys are getting more comfortable with the system (and) it all starts coming together. Earlier in the season we kept things basic."

West Virginia has everything to gain. With a strong game or two against the Icers, it could snag a firm grasp on a tournament berth. According to senior Icer Ed Bursich, it's a dangerous situation.

"They're kind of on the outside looking in as far as the tournament," he said. "They're playing in desperation mode. We need to be cool under fire."

West Virginia realizes its opportunity and hopes to capitalize.

"I don't know if it's pressure," Anderson said, "but it's definitely a big weekend for us."