Three games in two days.

It sounds daunting, but that is what the No. 2 Penn State ACHA Division I Icers -- and 15 of their conference opponents -- will face this weekend at the Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio.

Starting 3 p.m. today, the Icers will play their first of three games in a 45-hour span when they open the 4th Annual ACHA Division I Showcase against No. 9 Oklahoma.

Penn State also plays Minot State at 3 tomorrow afternoon and No. 13 Weber State at noon on Sunday.

Without question, this will be the most grueling weekend of the year for all 16 teams involved.

Throughout the early stages of this young season, most teams have become accustomed to the norm of competing in two games every week. The addition of an extra game, and the subsequent loss of a rest day, will put energy at a premium, which is something that Penn State has been preparing for all week long.

"We took Monday off from practice. We just tried to take the day off and give the guys a little extra rest," head coach Scott Balboni said. "Besides that, everybody is in the same boat."

To combat the fatigue that this weekend will undoubtedly produce, Balboni plans to bring more players than usual for a road trip. Also, he is expecting some full-time players to provide a much-needed energy boost.

"There are a few guys who we are looking to step up, like our gold line," he said.

Penn State's gold line is comprised of three forwards -- junior Sean Kenney, sophomore Steve Marchi and freshman Dave Herel -- who are the self-described "grinders" of the team. Their objective is not so much to score goals, but play defense and get scoring chances for the other lines.

"The team relies on us to get the puck in deep on the other team -- bang and grind -- and get the momentum going. We get the puck down there and get a face-off in their zone, then we allow the higher skill lines to come out and score," Kenney said.

Due to the conference's new officiating standards, Kenney and his linemates have seen little action this season. Since the gold line doesn't participate on the power play, it has been on the bench for many of the Icers' 54 man-advantage opportunities.

Still, Penn State (3-1, 3-0 ACHA) hopes that will change as it grows more and more comfortable with the new enforcement crackdown.

Balboni is also looking for freshman defenseman Chris Lepore to step up.

At lunch on Wednesday, Balboni told the Succasunna native what he expected from him this weekend. And while selecting a guy who has played in only four career games to provide a spark may seem odd, Lepore is not about to let his inexperience prevent him from making a contribution.

"It shows that coach has some confidence in me," Lepore said. "I'm a young guy, so I'll look to help this team anyway I can."