Last weekend, the No. 12 Penn State Lady Icers (9-8, 3-5 ECWHL) were on cloud nine. The team had just captured first place in the Southeast Region with victories over Maryland and American University, greatly improving its playoff position, and was looking like a national contender.

This weekend, Penn State was handed an unpleasant reality check courtesy of an ECWHL Conference foe, the No. 5 Rhode Island Lady Rams. The Lady Icers were outplayed in every facet of the two-game series held at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion, losing Game 1, 12-0, and Game 2, 12-3.

"We were well-prepared for this game, but we just didn't execute," Lady Icers coach Michael Brinton said following Game 1. "I think we were a little shell-shocked by Rhode Island's speed and we panicked. We started playing like individuals and not as a team."

In the series opener on Friday night, the Lady Rams' unrelenting offensive attack produced six goals in the first period and held the quick-strike offense of the Lady Icers to no goals for the first time this season. Penn State could only muster one shot in the first period, and finished with just eight for the game.

"We need to learn that you've got to play as a team. You can't just focus on the puck, you've got to pick up the others," Brinton said. "I know we can play with this team when we play like a team, but we can't play with this team when we play like that."

The Rhode Island offense was the story again for Game 2 on Saturday afternoon. In front of the largest home crowd of the season, the Lady Icers managed to withstand some pressure in the early minutes of the game, but still surrendered three goals in the first period as the Lady Rams cruised to another easy victory. Despite a better defensive performance, Penn State could not stop the Lady Rams from recording an astounding 71 shots on goal for the game. Throughout the two games, Rhode Island held a distinct advantage in shots, out-shooting Penn State, 113-24. Penn State managed to avoid back-to-back shutouts with three second-period goals from forwards Jessica Waldron, Lauren Johnston and Allison Lasser. Waldron's goal gave her 40 points on the year, moving her into a tie for ninth-place for points in a season by a Lady Icer.

"We played better, but Rhode Island scored in bunches. And you have to give them credit, they are a talented team," Brinton said. "But when we are playing correctly, when we play full games, I don't think our team is out-talented by anybody."

Not only did the Lady Icers lose both games, but they also lost goalie Genna Goldbaum for a significant amount of time. While trying to make a save in the first period of Friday night's game, Goldbaum strained her hamstring. Although the severity of the injury is uncertain, the coaching staff believes she will be out for two to three weeks.

Goldbaum's absence will leave the Lady Icers with only one goalie at a critical point in the season. With four conference games left, Penn State must win out to make the ECWHL playoffs.

"We know what we need to do, we need to show up and avoid any letdowns," Brinton said. "From here on out, every game is a statement game."