Some days everything just seems to go your way and nobody can stop you.

This was the case for the No. 1 Penn State Icers this weekend as they notched two dominating victories against Villanova and No. 8 Kent State.

Against Villanova Friday night the Icers came out flying early. A power-play goal by defenseman Josh Mandel and a hardworking individual effort by left wing Joe McArdle gave the Icers a 2-0 lead just over four minutes into the game. It would only get worse from there for Villanova.

"We have been practicing for so long, the games are the reward," said head coach Joe Battista. "It's nice to see our guys have fun."

The fun was only beginning.

After missing last season due to a knee injury McArdle proved that he is back as he notched a hat trick with just over two minutes into the second period.

"It (the hat trick) was a pretty weird feeling," said McArdle. "I owe it all to my line mates."

McArdle would add a fourth goal early in the third for good measure.

One guy who could not seem to find the back of the net was forward Glenn Zuck.

"I wanted it (a goal) pretty bad," said Zuck. "I am trying to just get my first."

However, Zuck was by no means kept off the board as he recorded five assists, three coming on McArdle goals.

Overall, it was a tremendous team effort as the Icers powered by Villanova, 12-1.

"Our defense played well," said Battista. "I am pleased all the way around."

Geoff Beauparlant only allowed one goal for a total of three in two games this season.

The Icers knew that they could not celebrate too much because they had a very tough task awaiting them on Saturday as they went on the road for the first time this season to take on Kent State. Coach Battista was well aware of the difficulty facing the Icers.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) will be a lot tougher," Battista said.

Kent State coach Chris Wilk felt much the same earlier in the week.

"They (Penn State) are so deep," Wilk said. "We have to play good solid defensive hockey."

However, after skating to a tough 4-4 tie Friday night on the road at No. 9 Michigan-Dearborn, Kent State appeared to be sluggish early, and Penn State took advantage.

The Icers scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. They would not let up the assault as they continued to fire pucks at goalie Cameron Lee — 51 times.

Seven goals got past Lee in the Icers shutout victory. Three came off the stick of defenseman Robert Pate, who was one of only two Icers without a point in Friday's contest against Villanova.

Goalie Scott Graham stopped 26 shots en route to his first shutout of the season.

It was a big win for the Icers, giving them a lot of confidence to build on for the remainder of the season. Being able to do so without defenseman Curtiss Patrick (who scored three points Friday) supplied the Icers with added confidence. Patrick injured his knee Friday and is expected to be out two to four weeks.

Patrick's spot was filled Saturday by freshman Chris Rome, who, according to Battista, did a good job filling in.

Another injury problem the team had to overcome was to Ryan Tococki, who took a nasty hit against Kent State and is listed as day-to-day.

The team is going to have to make a couple of adjustments for next weekend's tough home-and-home series against No. 10 Towson.