The No. 12 Penn State Lady Icers (7-6, 3-3 ECWHL) will return to action this weekend in two crucial Southeast Regional road games against No. 10 University of Maryland and American University.

In their first game since a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Ohio State on Dec. 4, the Lady Icers will battle for first place in the division with the Terrapins tomorrow night at 9:20 in The Gardens Ice House. The team will then make the short journey to Washington, D.C., for a Sunday morning matchup with the American Eagles at 7:20 in the Herbert Wells Ice Rink.

Currently, Penn State occupies second place in the Southeast Region division, trailing only Maryland. With their No. 12 national ranking, the Lady Icers occupy the 12th and final playoff spot for the ACHA Nationals in March. A victory over the Terps this weekend, however, would vault the squad into first, which assures an automatic playoff berth and a higher seed in the bracket.

With the Lady Icers in a near must-win situation, head coach Michael Brinton knows that his team will not be lacking any motivation coming into this weekend's game.

"A win at Maryland could give us a much easier road in the playoffs," Brinton said. "And when you are playing an important game like this one, there is no need for momentum."

Momentum would normally be on Penn State's side considering its last game was an emotional win against Ohio State on the road. Unfortunately, that victory was in early December, and 41 days will have passed when the squad takes the ice this weekend.

Brinton, like any other coach, has concerns about the lengthy lay-off between games. The Lady Icers are 0-2 this season in games following layoffs of longer than seven days. But the head coach knows his team and the character it possesses.

"Coming out of the break, most of the girls were a little out of shape, but we had tough practices this week and they will be ready and come out flying," he said. "Right now we are a 12 seed, but I think we are much better than that."

As for the players, the added pressure of an important game is evident, but that isn't causing the squad to lose focus.

"Pressure is definitely on my mind, but you have to go in with a positive attitude, believing in your abilities and those of your teammates," forward Lauren Johnston said. "Everyone is extremely eager to get back on the ice and add some more wins, especially against this team."

Johnston has been in this must-win situation before and, being the lone senior on a team populated with freshmen and sophomores, knows that she will need to be the experienced leader for her teammates.

"I think just reassuring everyone that we have the potential to play with and beat any team in our league, and even those at nationals, will be enough motivation," Johnston said. "It comes down to work ethic and heart. The teams that end up winning big games might not be the most experienced or skilled, but they do have the tenacity."