The ACHA Division II Penn State Ice Lions knew the history. They knew that in two consecutive years they had lost the first game in pool play. So entering their game with Michigan last night, Penn State knew what to expect.

And they weren't about to allow history to repeat itself.

The Ice Lions carried a dominating team game, as well as a strong performance by senior goaltender Dan Koletsky, to a 6-2 win over Michigan on the opening day of the ACHA National Tournament. The Ice Lions (1-0 Pool B) are tied for the lead in Pool B after Day 1 with Eastern Washington, who won its opener against Ohio State.

In a bruising game that was reminiscent of the NHL's old Norris Division, both teams thrashed around the ice hitting anything that had an opposing color. Despite the physicality, Michigan (0-1) looked overmatched most of the game, struggling at times to get the puck out of its own zone, which led to Penn State's fourth goal by senior captain Jay Smith.

"The effort was great," Koletsky said. "The intensity was there, and the discipline was there."

Also reminiscent of games past, Koletsky didn't see much work early in the game. But when Michigan was pressuring the Ice Lions in the third looking for a spark, Koletsky made big saves to keep Michigan at bay. After the game, head coach Pat Fung couldn't say enough about the goalie.

"He's playing great right now," Fung said. "He's every bit back to the level when he was a second-team All-American."

Fung was more than pleased by the win, mostly by the Ice Lions' physical play that definitely wore down Michigan as the game went on.

"I thought we played great," Fung said. "We owned every inch of the ice."

What was also impressive to him was how Penn State's offense, which has been more visible of late, showed up again, putting six goals on Michigan in yesterday's first round game.

The most astounding, feat by far, was being the Ice Lions' final tally when freshman forward Dylan Huckstein flipped a shot over the goaltender's shoulder in the third.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to score six goals," Fung said.

Even the thin air couldn't slow the Ice Lions, who are keeping an oxygen tank for the players to use during the game.

The next challenge begins at 11:30 a.m. today against Ohio State.

Not even considering the early start, it could be easy for Penn State to look ahead to Friday's game against Eastern Washington, which could possibly be for the pool's only semifinal spot.