Time is supposed to heal all wounds. For the Lady Icers, time is standing still.

Last weekend, five key injuries forced Penn State to play with a short bench. Now it appears as if those injuries will leave the team handicapped throughout the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. Forwards Lauren Johnston (broken foot) and Esther Gomez (shoulder) are out for the year. Both have not played since suffering injuries in a home loss to Rhode Island on Jan. 21.

As for this weekend, goaltender Genna Goldbaum (leg) will be inactive, and forward Megan Hayden (shoulder) is doubtful at best.

This disappointing news could not come at a more crucial time for the No. 12 Lady Icers (10-9, 4-6 ECWHL), who will face another must-win situation against Buffalo this weekend. Penn State will wrap up its ECWHL regular-season schedule with the No. 15 Freeze (6-10, 2-6) at the Amherst Pepsi Center. Game times are at 6 tomorrow night and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Currently, the Lady Icers occupy the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECWHL. A sweep at Buffalo would greatly improve the team's chances of securing that position.

Penn State will also be doing its fair share of scoreboard watching in the final weeks of the season. With the same amount of league wins as Norwich University, the Lady Icers could move into third place if the Saints lose a road game at Bates College on Feb. 10.

At the moment, however, Penn State is focused on preparing for its present task.

"We need to take our defensive zone coverage to heart, once again," Lady Icers head coach Michael Brinton said. "But once we get out of our defensive zone, our breakouts and ability to score will not be a problem."

The return of forward/defensewoman Chelsea Sacks (flu) may ease Brinton's worries about his team's defense, an issue he has pressed on for much of the season.

Sacks' return to the lineup will also bring some much-needed relief to a tired team. With the piling-up of injuries for last weekend's road trip, Penn State was forced to play with only eight skaters and one goalie, a situation that, according to Lady Icer captain Ashleigh Kinder, may have been a blessing in disguise.

"Just knowing that we can overcome something like this shows that we have what it takes. Perhaps we may even have some extra stamina and strength," Kinder said.

Penn State's captain, who is second on the team is scoring with 33 points, knows that setting the right tone for her teammates is crucial for victory.

"We can't come into this weekend assuming that we are going to win. We need to treat this series as two of our toughest games this season. That is the only way to assure that we have the right attitude," Kinder said.

There is a good chance that the Lady Icers will have a positive attitude today when the American Collegiate Hockey Association releases its rankings for the month of February. Penn State is expected to take over the top spot in the Southeast Region, leapfrogging No. 10 Maryland.

A No. 1 regional ranking means a guaranteed spot for the team in the ACHA Nationals in March.

Although it is likely the Lady Icers will have a difficult road in the playoffs, Brinton said he knows exactly what to expect from his team.

"When their backs are against the wall, they will come out flying. There is no lack of hustle on this team," Brinton said. "I will never doubt their conditioning or their heart."