LAUREL Md. — Back-to-back-to-back national championships — It was not easy, but the ACHA Div. I Penn State Icers accomplished this feat of three straight national championships last weekend.

"The kids did everything they had to do," Head Coach Joe Battista said. "We did all the right things."

The Icers easily disposed of an overmatched No. 8 Kent State team 8-2 to reach the Final Four. There they kept their poise against No. 5 Iowa State for a 6-2 victory.

The Cyclones attempted time-after-time to take the Icers out of their game, hitting them with one cheap shot after the other, but the Icers were not rattled and lived to see the finals.

The Icers faced No. 7 Illinois (in the title game), whom the Icers beat 3-1 earlier this season.

The Icers got an early goal from defenseman Curtiss Patrick, who played despite a separated shoulder.

"I loved scoring the goal," Patrick said. "I can't believe I got the puck, much less got a shot off. I was having trouble shooting yesterday."

Patrick's resiliency and determination rubbed off on the rest of the team, especially the defense, which stopped all four Illini power plays in the first period. The Icers continued to build on their lead, as tournament MVP Neal Price scored three minutes later.

The Illini switched goalies — but it had no effect. Co-captain Kyle Jordan scored mid-way through the second period, increasing the lead to 3-0.

"That was the best game I have ever been a part of," Jordan said. "The guys played unreal."

It would only get better from there as first team all-tournament team member Glenn Zuck, put the icing on the cake 12 seconds into the third period, for a 4-0 lead.

The rest was up to goalie Scott Graham who was up for the challenge.

Graham stopped all 23 Illini shots en route to the shutout.

"It was nice to have the shutout," first team All-Tournament selection Graham said. "It was a nice way to end the season."

It was a season that saw the Icers fight through a number of injuries only to bond together at the perfect time.

"We weren't together the whole season like this, but we came together at the time we needed to," Patrick said. "This week I would rate us the highest of any team I have ever played on, we played absolutely unbelievable hockey this week."

They saved their best for last and it made all the difference in the world.

"The Iowa State (game) and Illinois (game), were the two best executed game that I have seen out of a Penn State team in a long time," Battista said.

Having witnessed six national championships, that says a lot about this current team, and the level of talent that they possess. The only question left unanswered last week was if the current juniors have enough room for a fourth straight title next season.