You can expect to see some gloves dropping. You may see some roundhouse punches. And expect the possibility of a bench-clearing brawl. But don't expect the Penn State Lady Icers (12-4-1) to retaliate if the University of Buffalo Freeze (6-7-1) pull such antics when Penn State travels to Buffalo this weekend for a pair of games with their nemesis.

The last time these rivals took the same ice was in a Dec. 1 battle that resulted in a bench-clearing scuffle and eight suspensions.

Captains Jen McDevitt and Lauren Shaw, along with sophomore Alex McVicker, were handed one-game suspensions for their part in the melee. Leading goal-scorer and senior Andrea Lavelle was hit with a five-game lockdown in a ruling by the ACHA. Lavelle has since served her time, and will be returning to the ice for the first time since the Dec. 1 Buffalo game.

"It's really rough watching your team and not being able to help them," said Lavelle. "But I'm over that now. We're ready to stick it to them. We've just got to keep a straight head on and not make bad decisions. We've learned a lot."

Round two should prove to be less violent than the first go around, as Penn State has seemingly learned their lesson, and have their eyes set on bigger and better things than throwing down with a team that hasn't seen the .500 plateau all season.

"Hockey is a physical game," said assistant captain Lauren Shaw. "But if Buffalo goes after us, we will not retaliate. They have nothing to lose. We do."

The Lady Icers are clawing for an invitation to the national tournament, the dance they have aspired to take center stage at since the season's first puck dropped. Buffalo's hopes of such a bid were shattered long ago.

According to McDevitt, coach Billie Willits is somewhat weary of her team playing too physical, but the captain has different ideas.

"We will play our game physical," said McDevitt. "All heart. I trust my girls with everything I have. They'll play smart, classy hockey."

Playing the last five games without their leading goal scorer, Penn State started slowly, but has since responded with a flurry, going 3-1-1 overall, and winning their last two with white-washings over Arizona State and Pittsburgh last weekend.

"I think for a large part of the season we rode Lavelle's coat tails," said McDevitt. "I think last weekend we realized our potential as a squad."

With nationals on the horizon, Penn State seems to be finding their rhythm as they are beginning to play their best hockey of the season. If they can continue to roll, an invitation to nationals is inevitable. The last thing these Lady Icers want is another self-induced roadblock in their path to a championship.

"We know we are a more classy and skilled club," said Shaw. "Now it's time to prove it to the ACHA and the rest of the league."