At the start of the Ice Lions' season, first-year head coach Pat Fung asked his team what its goal was for the year. The answer was the same across the board: to win a national championship.

This has been the team's main focus since the end of last season, when the Ice Lions lost in the national semifinal to NYU, 1-0.

"Everyone knows how it felt and I don't think anyone's going to stop short of that goal," senior captain Chris Stoehr said.

The Ice Lions, the Division II men's hockey team at Penn State, are a month into the season and are off to an impressive start. After wins this past weekend at home against Central Connecticut State and Central Michigan, the team is 8-0 and has outscored its opponents 73-6.

While the Ice Lions' opponents aren't the most difficult opponents the team will play, these are games that the team has to win in order to have a strong season.

Against Central Connecticut State and Central Michigan, the Ice Lions faced their first big test of the season and passed with flying colors.

With the score 3-2 going into the third period on Friday against Central Connecticut State, Penn State scored two goals, including an empty net goal as the clock expired, to put the game out of reach.

"We came out slow on Friday and I think it was a good wake-up call for us," Fung said.

The next night, the team earned a dominant 5-0 win, its fourth shutout this year. Even though on paper it seemed like an easy win, numerous fights and delays while the referees ironed out details of penalties made it a challenge to remain focused throughout the game.

"I think the guys really came together. Experience is very big in that situation and I'm glad they had enough discipline to get past that," Fung said.

Experience has been a key for the team so far this season, as the core of its national semifinal team from last year has returned. That has allowed the team to put together a versatile offense with many options.

"We get scoring from all the lines and everyone carries the load," senior Jason Rusnic said.

The defensive play of the team has improved since the start of the season, but Fung still would like to see some improvement, especially after the Central Connecticut State game.

"We need to improve on power plays after giving up a shorthanded goal on Friday and also work on turning the puck over less," Fung said.

Details like these are aspects of the game that the Ice Lions believe could hurt them once they play more challenging opponents later in the season.

"There are just little things right now that better teams to expose us on," Stoehr said.

The Ice Lions are now moving into the part of the season where they will be facing more of those teams and the players are looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"The boys are hungry, real hungry," Rusnic said. "Everyone's chomping at the bit and are ready for the meat of the season."