The Penn State Icers have never lost to Towson with an 11-0-2 record.

However, Friday night it appeared the Icers were giving Towson every opportunity to come away with the upset victory.

It was a very physical, emotional game which got ugly at the end, but the real story were the penalties.

There were no goals scored in the first period but there were a combined nine penalties, four called on the No. 1 Icers.

This was only the beginning of a long night in the penalty box for both sides.

The Icers once again tallied four penalties in the second period, while No. 9 Towson played more disciplined hockey and managed to stay out of the box. They were saving it for the third period.

In the second period, the Icers penalty killing units showed they could do more than just kill time. Bill Downey scored a short-handed goal mid-way through, giving the Icers a 2-0 lead.

The Icers would continue to feed off of the momentum killing off all four of their own penalties in the period.

"We took a lot of dumb penalties," center/right wing Neal Price said. "Our penalty kill played really well."

They were just warming up as the third period got out of control.

The Icers managed three goals in the period for a total of six, despite the fact that Towson really appeared to get under their skin and would not go away.

"They knew they needed to get into our heads," Price said.

The Tigers appeared to do more than just get into the heads of the Icers.

"I am very upset (at the penalties)," Battista said.

"We have to learn not to let other teams get under our skin."

The Icers tallied seven more penalties in the third period for a game total of fifteen, including a ten-minute misconduct late in the game by center/right wing Kyle Jordan.

"We have to be more mentally tough," goalie Geoff Beauparlant said. "We were fortunate to make up for those penalties."

No matter how many penalties the Icers took, they just stepped up their game on defense and shut down a Tiger power play, which almost seemed nonexistent.

"I am very impressed (at the penalty kill). They played outstandingly," Battista said. "We had to kill a lot of penalties and we killed them off at crucial times."

Looking at the Icers' frustrations in the third period would only tell half the story, considering the Tigers committed ten penalties of their own in the third period equaling the Icers game total of fifteen.

The penalty boxes were so crowded there was standing room only at some points.

Twice both teams had three players in the box.

With just over two minutes to go and the Icers holding a healthy 6-0 lead, players began flocking to the box. Roughing, tripping, high sticking, five-minute misconducts and ten minute majors were being dished out by the referee.

Six Towson players and four Icers stood at the same time in the box late in the game watching Geoff Beauparlant finish off his shut out performance.

The defense played so well, Beauparlant often stood around waiting for some action at his end.

"Our defense doesn't get enough credit," Battista said.

"They are holding teams to under 20 shots a game."

Beauparlant was a wall in net and combined with the terrific play of the penalty killing units, the Icers increased their unbeaten streak to 14, and later 15 on Saturday, after defeating Towson in the second game of a home-and-home series.