Icers gearing up for ACHA Nationals

By KEVIN BRICKER
Collegian Staff Writer

The Penn State men's ice hockey team isn't coasting through practice like a team preparing for the postseason.

With its first American Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament game less than a week away, No. 2 Penn State's practices have resembled preseason sessions -- practices that can test a player's toughness and endurance, and ultimately determine if he lands a spot on the roster.

During practice this week, freshman Sean Waters and senior C.J. Patrick locked horns in front of the net, dueled for position and grabbed fists full of jersey. It was rookie versus veteran in a vicious battle to establish territory in front of the goal.

Finally, they dragged each other to the ice. When they reached their feet after the struggle, each had a big smile on his face.

"To me, that tells me the boys are ready," Icers coach Joe Battista said.

Another sign of encouragement for Battista has been the emergence of the revamped "white line." Freshman transfer Neal Price, who joined the Icers at the start of this semester, centers the line with freshman Travis Dorsey and junior Ryan Wick on the wings.

"The white line looks terrific in practice," Battista said. "It forces the rest of the team to step it up because of the intra-squad rivalry."

Who's in net?

The goaltending situation is unresolved. Senior John Sixt rebounded from a tumultuous January with solid performances in his last three outings. But senior Anthony Annexy filled Sixt's shoes admirably while Sixt was recuperating from illness.

Battista said he's leaning toward sticking with one goalie for the tournament right now, but he won't be shy to use two. Fatigue could be a factor. If they make it to next Saturday's championship game, the Icers would be playing in their fourth game in as many days.

Villanova? Villa-nowhere

For the second consecutive year, Penn State scheduled a Friday home game prior to the ACHA Tournament. And for the second straight year, Villanova cancelled.

But Battista isn't overly disappointed because it gives the Icers an extra day of workouts. Penn State will practice for a little more than an hour tonight and tomorrow. Although it's no substitute for game-time exposure, Battista said it reduces the risk of injury. And it puts a semi-curfew on the team.

"It keeps the boys under wraps," he said. "There's less temptation to stay out late because they know they have to get up the next morning."

While Penn State recharges its batteries with a weekend off, two ACHA clubs feel the best way to prepare for the tournament is to continue playing. Top-ranked Iowa State hosts Missouri and No. 4 Ohio faces Michigan State, both two-game series.

Also, the Central States Collegiate Hockey League holds its All-Star game Saturday in Chicago. Six of the 10 ACHA Tournament teams compete in the CSCHL.

Iowa State -- which defeated No. 3 Michigan-Dearborn 10-4 to claim the CSCHL title last Sunday -- will send six players to the All-Star game. According to Cyclones coach Al Murdoch, their pair of home games this weekend helps foot the bill to Newark, Del., and gives their inexperienced players some ice time while some of the regulars head to Chicago.