Every team will face it. The great ones will erase it. Adversity can blow the pilot light out for a season. But the struggle can also light a fire for a team.

Coming off three consecutive victories over Western Michigan, Michigan State and most recently University of Buffalo, the Lady Icers seemed to be finding their groove after an early season of ups and downs. But when Pittsburgh comes to town Saturday at 10:15 p.m. at the Greenberg Sports Complex, the Lady Icers will begin a new journey.

Not only will the Lady Icers be facing a 42-day layoff and a competitive team in intrastate rival Pittsburgh, but also Penn State will be going to battle without four key players.

Freshmen Alex McVicker, along with captains Jen McDevitt and Lauren Shaw, have been strapped with one-game suspensions for their part in a bench-clearing brawl against Buffalo. Senior Andrea Lavelle, the team's leading goal scorer, has been leveled with a five-game penalty in a suspect ruling by the ACHA.

"It's going to be tough sitting back and watching from the stands Saturday," McDevitt said. "But it's the price to be paid. I don't regret defending my girls, but I know as a captain there was a standard that I should have upheld. I think the adversity will be a good test for us."

While Penn State may be losing four players to suspension, the team will be greeted with the addition of four veterans who missed 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.

Although Penn State's success has been a team effort throughout the year, Lavelle has done the majority of the scoring. Shaw has filled the role as the playmaker and the versatile McDevitt has supplied immeasurable intensity and passion on defense as well as filled in for the injured Jessica Gurskey in net.

Playing without Lavelle, Shaw and McDevitt is like the Boston Celtics going to work without Bird, McHale and Parrish. But this weekend's contest could be a time for a new group of Lady Icers to establish themselves as key contributors for Penn State's championship run, and instill a sense of confidence and swagger among the roll players, an integral part of any championship squad.

"I take this as an opportunity for me to make sure everything goes well for our team and we don't fall apart," defender Kristen Reed said.

With captains Shaw and McDevitt on the sidelines, McDevitt has anointed freshmen Katie King and Stephanie Feyock as Saturday's captains.

"The two of them exemplify just what it is to be a Lady Icer," said McDevitt. "They play with their hearts, lead by example and never put themselves before the team. I honestly trust that each and every one of them will step up their level of play."

Sophomore Kristen Petricelli will step up and take on the goalie roll with Gurskey still shelved with a herniated disc. Petricelli will be working in net for the first time in her career on Saturday. The last time the Lady Icers had a rookie in net was Jen McDevitt, who worked a shutout in the Lady Icers' 6-0 drubbing of Buffalo.

Penn State may be playing without four of their greatest contributors, but this team plays with a certain aura and with no fear, a characteristic they most recently displayed in their brawl with Buffalo. The Lady Icers have a mission this year, and they're reluctant to let a few suspensions get in their way.

"Everyone that's not suspended realizes that Saturday we must step up," said sophomore Faryn Shapiro.