If you don't jump at the sound of the gun, you'll be left in the dust.

The No. 1 Penn State ACHA Div. I Icers (6-0-0), who have voiced concern over slow starts in their last two games, look to come out with guns blazing against the No. 7 Towson University Tigers in a two-game series this weekend.

Penn State assistant coach Mike McNeill said that the keys to victory will be jumping out to an early lead and staying out of the penalty box, two things that have been missing in recent weeks.

"Against Ohio we had a really slow couple of first periods," McNeill said. "The longer teams hang with us, the more confident they get."

Motivation should not be in short supply during the games, however, as many Icers said they felt it would be a physical, emotionally charged series against the Tigers.

"It's important to stay disciplined after the whistle," junior forward Glenn Zuck said.

"They're gonna be grabbing you, hooking you through neutral ice. You gotta keep your head and just have faith in the power play."

As for Towson, some players said it's not the talent that worries them, but that the Tigers tend to be a hard-working team that rarely quits during a game.

"They're not really that talented," Zuck said.

"But they're a gritty team."

-- By Stevc Swart