Lucky for the Icers, however, the lapse came at a down point in the season, and it only lasted 20 minutes.

The Icers' defense has always been the foundation of the team. Last year when Penn State won the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championship, the team credited the defense with the majority of the win.

But that foundation began to crack at the start of the second period of last Friday's 6-2 drubbing of Seneca. At least two defenders were looking for fame as seniors Jason Zivkovic and Don Coyne were both approaching the 200-career-points mark. Prior to the two games against the Sting, Zivkovic's point tally stood at 198 with Coyne trailing just behind at 189.

With an assist on the first goal of the game, Zivkovic was one point shy of 200 mark with only 2:01 gone in the game. But at the end of the first period, neither Zivkovic nor Coyne had registered another point.

Going into the locker room with a mere 3-1 lead was nowhere near good enough and the team was hungry. By the start of the second period, that hunger started doing things to the minds of the defenders.

Due to harsh losses in January, Penn State coach Joe Battista had switched his defense around to get a bigger return. He said the defense was still adjusting to its new look during the weekend.

Battista had also been experimenting with lines and had arranged for Ryan Wick to make a move from defense to offense for Saturday's game. But with 4:30 gone in the second period Friday, it seemed Wick was already ready for the switch.

He and linemate Coyne pushed into Seneca's zone leaving Penn State's net undefended. Seconds later Seneca forward Paul Smith walked right in and scored. The Sting scored on a similar play late in the first period.

Several times when defensemen were looking for a scoring chance, the smaller forwards were left to cover Penn State's blue line.

"The second period (Friday) was quite possibly the worst period I've seen this semester. I don't know what happened," Battista said. "We're lucky we came out of it with the lead. If we're going to win a national championship, we can't have a period like that."

Heading into the weekend, the Icers' defense only had a 2.5 goals-against average. Although it only allowed two goals in each game, the potential for damage from the pressing defense greatly outweighed any advantage it may have created.

Because of the mix up in coverage, Battista said he had a long discussion with his team after the second period. The team appeared refocused for the third period -- a relief to Battista.

But it is very dangerous for a defense to be in transition this close to the ACHA Tournament. In the tournament, that type of lapse in defense could mean the difference between playing in the championship game and the consolation game.