When you concentrate on defense it pays off in the end. The No. 5 Penn State Ice Lions went into the weekend worrying about their defense and missing three players on the back line.

They came out of the weekend with three wins. On Friday night they beat Maryland 4-1, and again beat the Terrapins 6-4 on Saturday night. Sunday afternoon they defeated No. 12 Montclair State 8-1.

Ralph Stoehr, who missed time earlier in the year with an injury, came out of the weekend with multiple goals.

"We had been waiting for him to explode," Penn State Ice Lions coach Mo Stroemel said.

The defense still had issues with the forwards not covering their spots, but in the third game they got better at playing the man and not the puck, and it showed in the end result of the game.

Dan Koletsky earned the start in goal for all three games and played solid behind his team's effort.

Simon Morris was put into the game against Montclair with 18 minutes to go, and the game well in hand. Immediately the Lions took two penalties forcing Morris to play during a 5 on 3 situation, and didn't allow a goal.

"Our goalie situation is pretty solid, we don't have any worries about that," Stroemel said.

Ryan Tocicki added three goals over the weekend and Pat McCullough, who played in his last game after accepting an internship for next semester, had four points.

"It was a nice exit for him, he was one of our co-captains. He will be missed in the locker room," Stroemel said.

Penn State is now off until Jan. 9, having already completed 20 games, a full season for some teams.

The Ice Lions will take it easy during practice this week and just blow off steam. Players are encouraged to keep up their endurance over the break. Stroemel said Penn State has the ability to come from behind in several games and they don't want to lose that.