"It's kind of a disadvantage," said Wilk. "He (McNeill) knows some of our guys and our system."
No matter what went on in the past, both teams know that this is going to be a very tough game and in order to win they are going to have to bring their "A" game.
"We have to play tough, especially against Penn State," said Wilk.
Although Wilk tried to downplay the game against the Icers as just another game, Coach McNeill knows first hand how important this game is to Kent State.
"He (McNeill) has been sending the message that Kent State has the Penn State game circled on their calendar," said head coach Joe Battista.
McNeill added, "Kent State takes it pretty seriously."
The Icers know this game is not going to be easy and have to step up their play from last weekend.
"Kent State is a good team," said forward Justin DePrettis said following last Saturday's game against Ohio. "They will come prepared to play."
The Icers, coming off a win and a tie against No. 6 Ohio last weekend, know what tough means.
The person between the pipes for the Icers first road game of the season will be Scott Graham. While both goalies played well last week, Graham, a native of Shaker Heights, Oh., will get the call Saturday "in his backyard", according to Battista.
However, before the Icers head for the road they must take on Villanova tonight at 9 at the Ice Pavilion at Greenberg Sports Complex. The matchup with the Wildcats will give the Icers a chance to continue to work out some of the kinks.
"'Nova is rebuilding. They have skilled forwards," said Battista who looks upon this game as a great opportunity to put into use some of the skills they have been working on during this past week.
In practice this week, there were a lot of kinks that the Icers have been looking to work out. Switching some of the line combinations used last weekend will help the cause. Battista admitted that there will be some minor tinkering with the lines but he is more concerned with adding more speed and defense.
After a tough week of practice the Icers are ready to take the ice against Villanova tonight. Coach McNeill is especially ready to travel to Ohio tomorrow for a matchup against his former team, Kent State.
