The road to the ACHA Div. II hockey National Tournament appearance hasn't been a smooth one so far. The Penn State Ice Lions are off to a 3-2 start, but on the upside they went 2-0 last weekend, with wins over New York University and Pittsburgh

The Ice Lions started the season Oct. 3 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the ACHA Division II Showcase.

They won their first game of the showcase against Southern Illinois 5-1.

Five different players scored for the Lions. Matt Weber and Jason Rusnic led the team with two points each. Rusnic's came on assists.

Following the win the Lions lost two games, one to Oakland (Mich.) and one to IUP.

Against Oakland, Rusnic added another assist and Ryan Tocicki put up two goals and an assist in the 7-6 loss.

Tocicki, a former member of the ACHA national champion Penn State Icers, also scored against Southern Illinois.

Saturday versus Pittsburgh, the penalty kill allowed three goals and then gave up four against Oakland.

It also spent 15 minutes of the 20-minute second period on the ice.

"Opposing power plays played well against us," Penn State Ice Lions coach Mo Stroemel said.

"Our penalty kill is fine, we just have to be more aware of what is going on around us."

IUP beat the Lions 5-2 on Sunday to finish out the showcase. Tocicki, who had done well the game, before was out with an injury he sustained in Saturday's contest.

Again Rusnic added an assist. Weber added another goal to his total and an assist.

Penn State also lost to them in the University Hockey Tournament last year.

The Ice Lions lost starting goaltender Brian Gratz to the Icers, and primary backup last year Brett Flood is also on the shelf with an injury.

Dan Koletsky and Simon Morris, who are both freshmen, have been filling in at goalie and doing well.

"Morris was outstanding versus Pittsburgh, he played really well," Stroemel said.

Stroemel also said that defensive lapses needed to be worked on. Power plays played well against the Ice Lions, but the Ice Lions' ability is also great.

Stroemel said that once everyone is healthy they would be able to score goals.