Every so often an anomaly occurs before a group of people in the sports world to remind them just how special these games really are. This was one of those weekends.

The Penn State ACHA Div I. Icers had been practically flawless this year.

Winning handily, playing airtight defense and foreshadowing another banner-raising ceremony come next March.

But that green-and-white chip that the team wears on its shoulders was still prevalent.

The chip that was responsible for the last three Icers losses a year ago, including the biggest loss last March to end their season.

That "chip" came to town Friday night in the form of No. I Ohio University, the nemesis and the archrival.

Not even a quarter of the season was complete, but both squads knew they had to bring their "A"-game. Besides, both the atmosphere and crowd demanded it.

It wasn't your typical regular season game.

The whiteout was on, fans entering by the droves and a certain Penn State President Graham Spanier was on-hand to drive the zamboni and drop the ceremonial puck.

The slate was set for a two-game weekend, the first on Friday. The game was a defensive struggle early, reminiscent of two heavyweights feeling one another out early in a bout. Not showing too much, trying not to give off any signs of weakness.

Paul Mammola was in net for the Icers, and for about the first 13 minutes he was fairly bored.

Mainly because the Icers denied the Bobcats a shot-on-goal during that stretch. The first period came and went with no score.

As play continued the momentum switched to Ohio who went on to score two quick goals and took a 2-0 lead into the locker room after the second period.

The Icers appeared to be somewhat dejected as they skated off the ice. It would have been easy to fold and give up, saying "we still have tomorrow's game." But championship-caliber teams don't succumb to frustration, they respond to it.

Nine minutes passed by in the third period with the Icers still searching for their first goal.

During the first seven games they'd been averaging 8 tallies per game. So the drought was soon to end, right?

Senior forward Mike Carrano came into the game leading the Icers in goals and just before the 9:27 mark, he picks up a bouncing puck at Ohio's blue-line and lifted a shot over the left shoulder of Ohio's goaltender, Ryan Baksh.

The score was now 2-1 Ohio. Then 2-2, then 3-2 Ohio, then 3-3 and then overtime.

Both teams then had five minutes to score before the game ends in a tie. The crowd is energetic but nervous as well. The first two minutes in OT were tension-filled with no one wanting to commit that crucial turnover that would cost his team the game.

Enter Mike McMullen. The sophomore forward had been denied a goal midway through the second period which would have been the first goal for the Icers. Little did he know he'd have the opportunity to score the last. With a couple minutes left to go McMullen skated wide down the left side of the ice, then converging to the middle shooting the puck on net.

The crowd rises in anticipation only to see that the initial shot doesn't get through. They then see the second-effort of McMullen poke the puck by Baksh. The first game is now over, Icers win 4-3.

"That's one of the best home victories we have had in my 25 years with Penn State hockey," head coach Joe Battista said. But he may have spoken too soon.

Day two.

There would be no let up the next day as the Icers took a 2-0 lead in the second period. That score remained until the Bobcats scored two goals in the final four minutes.

They would take a 3-2 lead at the 9:12 mark in the final period.

Once again the Icers could have easily taken down their tent do to frustration, but they didn't.

It was a frustrating afternoon for senior Kevin Jaeger as the Bobcats were content on bothering him with their physical play. But Jaeger would have the last say in this one. It's 3-3 and overtime starts again.

Jaeger already has two of the three Icer goals in this game and would be looking for second hat trick of the season, but a win more importantly.

Mike Carrano views Jaeger moving up ice towards another goal when he lobs the puck over the head of an Ohio defenseman hitting Jaeger in stride. The conceivable ending would be too good to believe right? Either that or Disney is waiting in the background for another movie idea. Jaeger skates in on net and puts the puck between the pipes. Icers win 4-3.

Again.

"It was a tremendous show of character, togetherness and heart," an emotional Battista said after the game.

In the coming weeks the Icers will regain their No. I and the Bull's-eye will return, apparently the swagger already has.