The last time the ACHA Division II Penn State Ice Lions were in New York State, they suffered their worst loss of the season to NYU. It was a watershed moment for the team, as it hadn't lost since.

That was until Saturday night.

Back in New York again, The Ice Lions fell, 4-2, to Stony Brook, giving them their first loss since NYU.

Stony Brook (21-2-0, 9-2-0 SECHL) was controlled the game, especially in the third period, when it seemed that the Ice Lions (11-3-1, 7-3-1), who had beaten Central Connecticut State the night before, had just tired out.

Head coach Pat Fung noted that the team's fatigue played a role, but he credited the loss to Stony Brook's readiness to play, coupled with Penn State's inability to play a physical game for the loss. Penn State physicality allowed helped defeat Stony Brook in November.

"We didn't execute our game plan," Fung said. "Stony Brook was ready for us. They didn't necessarily change their game plan, but we didn't execute ours and that was the difference."

Fung said that this game was a microcosm of the Ice Lions' season to date: A team that has had problems at times but does well when it plays a physical game and can make mistakes when it tries to play "pretty."

"We've been two different teams this year," he said. "At times, we've been fast, but trying to play on the perimeter and trying to play a pretty game. Then there are times when we've been fast, but willing to go into the corners and play physical."

Despite the loss, Fung is still optimistic about the team, believing that the defeat will serve as a wakeup call that the team still needs to improve.

"This loss was a look in the mirror for us, because it was our first loss in about three months. Sometimes when you win a lot, you kind of just go with the motions," he said. "This will wake some guys up and see that there are some things they need to change."

The Ice Lions have a showdown at Marist Friday night, followed by a home game against Montclair State. Fung said that the two games this weekend will help the team rebound from last weekend's tough loss and get back to the task at hand.