The true mark of champions can be found within their courage and character.

Take the Penn State men's ice hockey team for example.

Although the No. 2 Icers (19-3-2) are over a month away from playing in the ACHA national championship tournament, head coach Joe Battista's players have developed a sense of fearlessness and tenacity that could carry them to their second straight national title.

The Icers' performance last weekend is a classic case in point. The Icers found themselves down two goals twice during their titanic battle with No. 1 Eastern Michigan on the Eagles home ice and without key players Alon Eizenman, Greg Held and Bobby Pate.

Still, the never-say-die squad battled back to win 6-5 in overtime.

Battista said players who are sometimes overshadowed by teammates that tally bigger stats and receive All-American accolades — namely Kyle Jordan and Jack Weber — propelled the weekend's no-quit attitude.

"Those two in particular really stood out in my mind last weekend when we needed some people to stand out," Battista said. "It just comes down to heart and character. The way Jack and Kyle played all weekend epitomized that."

Weber helped charge the Icers comeback victory with two key goals — both of which came when the Icers were down by two. Jordan redirected a shot for the game-winning goal — one the Eagles claimed came off of a high sticking infraction — with just 14 seconds remaining in overtime.

"I was pretty sure they were going to call it a goal," Jordan said. "I wasn't too worried about it. I saw it all the way to my stick and I'm not a very tall guy so it's pretty hard for me to high stick the puck.

"But the biggest thing for me was that we won the hockey game. It didn't matter how the puck got into the net."

Jordan also tacked on a goal in the Icers 7-2 drubbing of No. 8 Michigan-Dearborn in the weekend's opener.

Despite standing only 5-foot-7, Jordan — who saw action in only six games last year because of injuries — has earned praise from his coach for his determination.

"With two minutes left in the game, we're killing a penalty in regulation and he goes down and takes a puck right off his knee, blocking the shot," Battista said. "He had to be helped off the ice, but five minutes later, he's right back in the game."

"He's not the biggest kid on the team, he's not the strongest kid on the team, but pound for pound he might be the toughest kid on the team. Kyle's one of those guys you love to have on your team but would hate to play against."

Jordan came to Penn State by way of Burnsville, Minn., after his father, James, took a position as a graduate economics professor at the university.

Weber, who's originally from Glenview, Ill., may not be in Happy Valley if it wasn't for his tremendous work ethic.

"Jack was a kid who came to us and all he asked for was a chance," Battista said. "We did not recruit him. He came from a good program in Chicago and all we did was promise him an opportunity in tryouts. He came in and beat out some kids who we had seen and asked to come here."

Weber said he wanted become an Icer because of the fun he had when he used to visit his sister who is a Penn State student.

"I just wanted to get away from the Midwest and venture out east," Weber said. "I had a good time when I was here, plus the hockey program is great."

Battista said it's not necessarily the skill level, but the intangibles the Midwestern duo brings to this team that makes them so valuable.

"They're character guys," he said. "These guys are all heart. They're the guys who come in and practice hard every day. There's no such thing as an off day for them at practice.

"They're not worried about stats and they never gripe about meaningless things. They're team players all the way and they're just interested in the team winning."

With arguably the squad's toughest weekend gone by the wayside, Weber is looking forward to a run at the national championship.

"The other day (against Eastern Michigan) was an example of just how good we are even with all those guys out and with guys getting hurt during the game, we were able to come through and find a way to win," he said. "I think we have one of the most talented teams in the league. If we work hard, we can definitely win another national championship."