Defending your turf. Protecting your backyard. Refusing to be pushed around at home. That's what it's all about for the Penn State Lady Icers, but their passion-filled play has landed several key skaters suspensions for their part in a bench clearing brawl Dec. 1 in a victory over nemesis University of Buffalo at the Greenberg Sports Complex.

After their 6-0 domination against the Freeze, tensions reached a boiling point in an evening filled with checks, elbows and near fights.

After the final whistle, a brawl ensued after a Buffalo player knocked the stick out of freshman Kate Connolly's hands and checked her in the back of the head. Connolly refused to back down and went after her opponent, prompting the bench-clearing melee.

Captains Lauren Shaw and Jen McDevitt, along with freshman Alex McVicker were slapped with one-game suspensions for their part in the ruckus, but senior standout Andrea Lavelle was tattooed with a five game suspension.

Lavelle's extreme punishment has been labeled as a suspect ruling, and a personal shot at the Lady Icers' star.

Sophomore Faryn Shapiro said Lavelle was singled out because she is the star player.

"I'm still trying to figure it out," Lavelle said. "Five games isn't reasonable for what I did or what the team did. It's kind of ridiculous. But I've got to take whatever I get and deal with it."

Some players believe Buffalo, which lost four players to a one-game suspension due to the brawl, contacted the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) in an act of spite.

Others believe the ACHA has struck Lavelle with five games because she is a dominating scorer.

Either way, the ruling seems suspect, as the ACHA has pulled a juggling act with their ruling, first stating that Lavelle would only receive a one-game suspension, before changing their minds numerous times and ultimately hitting the Icers' leading goal scorer with five games.

Lavelle and coach Billie Willits are looking to appeal the suspension and work to get it reduced.

But the Lady Icers haven't been showered with solely bad news as of late. Four key players are set to rejoin the team this semester, after being away from the team during the fall semester.

Kate Specchio, Jenna Lichenwalner, Michelle Zulkowsky and Erica Petrosky will add some much-needed depth for the Lady Icers run at the title. Newcomer Cheri Simmers will also join the team this semester.

The Lady Icers will be right back in their training regime this week, as players were expected to follow their own strength training and cardiovascular schedule during their time away from the ice.

The Lady Icers will be fired up for their next game, as they take on old foe Pittsburgh at 10:15 p.m., Jan. 12 at the Greenberg Sports Complex. The Lady Icers will be shorthanded, but a game against rival Pitt could bring the best out of the Lady Icers.

"These suspensions are small hurdles in our quest for the national championship," said Shaw.