Littered amongst the No. 2 Penn State Div. I ACHA Icers' locker room are various inspirational sayings and newspaper clippings -- but there's one article in particular that stands out.

It reads, in bold letters, "Ohio hockey team wins championship."

"We want them to remember last year," coach Joe Battista said. "We came so close and worked so hard. This is the team that denied us a national championship."

The Icers will have a chance at revenge 9 p.m. tonight at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion, and again tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

Last season, after collecting an early 2-0 lead in the national championship, Penn State found itself down 4-3 late in the third period.

The Icers scored to tie up the game, but the Bobcats responded with a fluke goal with less than three minutes remaining. The puck ricocheted off an Icers' stick and slipped past Penn State goalie Scott Blackman to squash the Icers' dream at a fifth consecutive national championship.

"It's always on my mind," defender Joe Maglaque said. "Everybody has it on their minds."

Like the Icers, Ohio has yet to lose a game this season as Penn State's win streak at the Ice Pavilion may be in jeopardy.

They haven't lost at home since the 2002-2003 season, but the Bobcats are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

"They're well-coached, tough and deep," Battista said. "We haven't been tested like they have."

A lot of bragging rights are on the line in this game, as Ohio's roster showcases 13 Pittsburgh natives.

The two clubs are very familiar with one another as the heated rivalry dates all the way back to the Icers' genesis in the 1970's.

"I remember when they had chicken wires instead of glass," Battista said. "It was the most hostile place to play a hockey game."

Ohio and Penn State have been involved in plenty of close games over the years, as Battista pointed towards one especially memorable match-up.

In 1984, the Icers were trailing Ohio 5-3 during the Lion Invitational. But with 26 seconds remaining in the game, Penn State scored twice to force overtime -- and collect the eventual victory.

Since then, there's been a unique atmosphere during each and every OU/PSU game.

"We do want to beat them very badly," offensive dynamo Kevin Jaeger said. "It's the greatest feeling to beat Ohio."

The Icers may be a different team this season, but they've been just as effective -- outscoring their opponents 56-13.

Of course, Ohio hasn't' fared much worse -- bettering its competition 50-18.

In anticipation of the biggest game of the regular season, Friday has even been declared the Icers' first ever "White Out."

The makings of this contest are huge, as it pits the top two teams in the nation against one another. The Bobcats are out to prove last year wasn't just luck, and Penn State's attempting to earn back the No. 1 spot.