Momentum and emotion.

The value of these two intangibles is arguable when it comes to team success. What isn't arguable is that whatever those two elements are worth, the Penn State Lady Icers have them at just the right time.

In the last regular season games before the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) nationals, the Lady Icers swept the Ohio State Lady Buckeyes with a 4-0 victory Friday night and a 3-1 win Saturday afternoon at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion.

Sophomore Katie King was again the star of the weekend, netting three goals and three assists between the two games.

Her most impressive goal came yesterday, as she started the Lady Icers scoring by stealing a pass between two close Lady Buckeye players, breaking through and going topshelf. It was a shorthanded goal.

The other Lady Icers with multiple points for the weekend were forward Stephanie Feyock (one goal, one assist), forward Alex McVicker (one goal, one assist), and forward Kate Specchio (two assists).

Penn State Lady Icers coach Jeremy Sharpe said he was very impressed with the team's play.

"[Lady Icers assistant coach Derek] Arledge and I just told the women in the locker room that if they play at nationals like they did this weekend, they're going to have a lot of success," Sharpe said.

One reason for Sharpe's and the team's happiness was the dominating defensive effort put forth by the Lady Icers. The team allowed only 11 shots on goal Friday and 10 shots on Saturday. Defense was especially stifling on Saturday, as evidenced by a 13 minute shotless drought for the Lady Buckeyes in the second period, as well as a 1:39 - long two-player advantage with again no shots.

"I think that [the defense] was great," Sharpe said. "It's always been our goal to keep those shots under 15 a game. We talked about that at the beginning of the season -- defense is going to win the big games."

In addition to the weekend set being the last regular season games for the Lady Icers, Saturday's game was the last home game for graduating seniors Specchio, forward Lauren Shaw, defender Jenna Lictenwalner and assistant coach Arledge.

The team celebrated with a pre-game ceremony for those four, complete with speeches by teammates, flower bouquets and teary hugs.

"It was bittersweet," Specchio said, smiling after the game. "We won the game but it was my last time on home ice."

However, with the ACHA national championship looming on Thursday in Muskegee, Mich., it won't be their last games as Lady Icers. With their strong weekend play, Sharpe hinted that the season just might end with the championship.

"The only team right now that can beat us is ourselves," he said. "If we keep ourselves focused, we're going to do great."