Ice Lions to face Pittsburgh, IUP

By MICHAEL YODER
Collegian Staff Writer

If the Penn State Ice Lions are ever going to make a statement to all Div. II ice hockey teams across the country, this may be the weekend to do it.

At 7 p.m. today in Pittsburgh, the Ice Lions (10-6-2) will take on Pittsburgh before returning home for a 10:30 p.m. game tomorrow at the Ice Pavilion at Greenberg Sports Complex against Indiana University (Pa.).

With the final Div. II rankings coming out next week and No. 4 Penn State holding onto the last spot for nationals, it needs two dominant performances against two teams it has already beaten this year.

"To get back into the national hunt," Penn State coach Mo Stroemel said, "We have to establish ourselves as the dominant team. We have to control every aspect of the game."

Today the Ice Lions travel to play Pittsburgh, a team they manhandled 11-2 earlier this year at home. The Panthers have a very young team made up almost entirely of freshmen and sophomores, a similar makeup to the Ohio State team Penn State beat last weekend. Despite its youth and poor 3-9-1 record, Pittsburgh could still pose a serious threat to Penn State's season.

"Pitt is starting to develop as a team," Stroemel said. "Just because we crushed them earlier this year, we can't take them lightly. They have the ability to beat us."

Tomorrow at the ice pavilion, Penn State may have an even tougher test than its game against Pittsburgh. IUP has the opportunity to turn the tables and block Penn State's playoff aspirations, a feat the Ice Lions have accomplished many times against IUP.

Previously this year, the two divisional rivals squared off with Penn State prevailing, 5-3. At the time, IUP was second in the division, but since it has quickly lost spots and dropped to No. 6. Although it has little chance to make nationals this year, IUP will be playing for respect and the possibly for revenge.

"(IUP's) main goal is to knock us out of nationals," Ice Lions captain Dan Horowitz said. "In the past we've been able to keep them out of nationals, and this year they have the opportunity to do the same thing to us. This is a really big rivalry within our conference, and it may be the biggest game of the season for us."

In practice this week, Penn State worked on basic hockey skills including power plays, fore-checking and short-handed situations. The Ice Lions also worked on defense, even though they came close to dominating the defensive zone last weekend.

After playing two successful games against Ohio State a week ago, Penn State hopes to build on the skill and discipline it showed in both games. All week, on top of focusing on fundamentals, Stroemel stressed the importance of playing smart hockey and staying out of the penalty box.

"We need to keep our heads and play smart hockey," Stroemel said.

"Usually the team that beats us is ourselves. As long as we play smart, we should be in good shape."