It is only natural for a team to have a bad game. But what truly defines the character of a team is its ability to rebound and realize what needs to be done in order to win.

The No. 11 Penn State Lady Icers (7-6, 3-3 ECWHL) split a non-conference series with No. 14 Ohio State University (9-7-2) this past weekend. Ohio State won the first game of the series 4-3 on Saturday, while Penn State fought back to win the second game 7-6 yesterday afternoon.

Both games proved to be nailbiters down to the very end. Penn State lost the first game in a disappointing manner, but managed to regroup itself and play with everything for yesterday's game.

On Saturday, penalties killed the Lady Icers as Ohio State scored three power play goals alone. For most of the game, the Lady Icers retained the lead until Ohio State scored two consecutive goals and the Lady Icers' defense seemed to let down.

Penn State Lady Icers coach Michael Brinton experienced quite a bit of frustration on Saturday.

"They played very sloppy. They weren't playing defense well and they seemed very tense. I was very disappointed with the first game. We were a lot better than that. We handed them the game with penalties," Brinton said.

For the second game, the team realized it was going to have to fight hard and play smart in order to capture the victory.

Penn State was winning 5-3 going into the third period when Ohio State scored three goals in a row with seven minutes left in the game. Luckily, Penn State scored on a power play to tie the game and then again with two minutes left in the period to give them their seventh goal of the day.

"We played more disciplined the second game," Brinton said. "We were up 5-3 and we started to let down again. I was somewhat disappointed with this. We found a way to put the goals, though. We have to be ready to play like this all the time."

Freshman standout Jessica Waldron had six points on the weekend, with four goals and two assists. Junior captain Ashleigh Kinder also had a notable weekend offensively.

Unfortunately, injuries seem to not only be plaguing Waldron, but the rest of the team as well. The players strongly agree the winter break will be to their advantage in order to rest their injuries.

Brinton also feels it is absolutely necessary to have the upcoming winter break.

"The winter break will help our team immensely. It will give the players time to rest and heal from their injuries. We only have five or six completely healthy bodies. The time to heal will be great," he said.

Waldron fought through her hip injury for the weekend series but she is ready to have a significant amount of time off.

"The hip affected me a lot, but I played through it. The time will heal people's injuries and we will be back and ready to go in January," she said.

Upon returning back to Happy Valley after the much-needed winter break, Penn State will face the University of Maryland, which could determine if the team receives a bid to nationals.