Penn State coach Joe Battista's worst fears became reality. The Icers found themselves mired in a shootout with the Cyclones' prolific offense and Penn State couldn't match Iowa State's explosiveness.

The Icers' best asset was its corps of experienced defensemen. With three seniors -- Buff Shuttleworth, Jason Zivkovic and Don Coyne -- and two juniors -- Brad Hamel and Loren Remetta -- performing the team's defensive duties, Penn State was confident it could slow Iowa State's transition game.

It couldn't.

"I give (Iowa State) credit," Battista said. "They're big, strong and fast. We got beat by a better team today."

However, the blame doesn't fall completely on Penn State's defensemen. They fed off of the forwards' pesky play all season. Much of the Icers' defensive strength was powered by their forwards' aggressive forechecking. Team defense, as a whole, didn't perform at its highest level when Penn State needed it most.

Neither did senior goaltender John Sixt. After surrendering just three total goals against No. 6 Arizona and No. 3 Michigan-Dearborn, Sixt allowed the puck to slip past him six times against the Cyclones.

"Johnny didn't have his best game," Battista said. "But we don't get here without him."

Sixt, who finished his Penn State career tied with John Gray with 65 career wins, still made 43 saves in the loss.

"Pucks just found their way in," Sixt said. "We got outplayed and they played a solid defensive game."

Despite allowing six goals, the Icers held Iowa State under its season average of 8.8 goals per game. But in its first three tournament games, Penn State allowed only a total of four.

Iowa State tallied 16 goals over the same span. The only club to harness the Cyclones' offense was No. 4 Ohio, who dropped a 2-1 decision to Iowa State.