Home sweet home.

The Penn State Ice Lions will return home to play an actual hockey for the first time in three weeks. But first they have to play on the road in Albany, Friday night.

The week was shortened for the No. 3 Ice Lions because of the weather, they didn't practice on Tuesday night as they normally do. Coach Mo Stroemel isn't concerned though.

"We are going to continue to make things better, we will tweak the little things," said Stroemel. "There is always room for improvement on defense."

After last weekend's stellar performance in beating No. 1 New York University, the team will try to stay focused and win each of the four games they have left.

Albany St. although not ranked has given other team headaches and the Ice Lions won't look past them.

When the Lions return home Saturday for senior night, their opponent will be the University of Pennsylvania, a team that they beat earlier this season 8-2. Penn is ranked No. 13 in the ACHA Northeast rankings. The Quakers are riding a three game win streak coming into the game and will play Wagner College the night before.

"Regardless who we are playing, we have to play tough," said Stroemel.

--By Dan Graybill