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Icecats to test mettle against Penn State

The road thus far for the Icecats has been relatively clear. Barring the opening night defensive struggle, the Icecats have made their first two opponents head home wondering what hit them, but that all changes this week. With three straight road challenges, the first of which is against Penn State, the Icecats will have a chance to learn what they are made of.

The Icecats follow the match against the Nittany Lions with back-to-back games against the Westchester (Penn.) Golden Rams and the University of Scranton (Penn.) Royals. Penn State has been a well known foe, as the Icecats have faced them in the conference finals for the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament last season. UA faced Westchester on Feb. 5 last season, a game which they won 6-2. The game against Scranton should prove to be an interesting match-up as they are a NCAA Division III team, while the Icecats are a club team.

Clearly, though, the game the Icecats are focusing on during this road trip is the trip to State College, Penn. Last season the Icecats didn't fare well against PSU, losing all three games, the last of which was at the ACHA tournament, where they lost 4-1.

This is the first trip for the Icecats to Penn State since 1993, although they have met plenty of times in between. Penn State is fresh off two victories over the Ohio Bobcats last weekend, which gives them a record of 4-0-0. The Icecats are looking to spread their attack more to take on Penn State.

"Right now (Paul) Dorn and (Marc) Harris are doing most of the scoring," Icecats head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "In order to beat Penn State we need to be more dimensional."

Dorn agreed."We'll need to play a more complete game on this road trip," he said.

Dorn and Harris have combined for 18 goals and 16 assists in the early going this season.

The defense for the Icecats has strengthened after Golembiewski switched all of the defensive pairs that he opened the season with. The Icecats are hoping to have their top-line right wing Mike Graves return on the road trip, although the outlook is doubtful.

"Mike has a serious injury to his wrist, and he is going to come with us on the trip, but it is doubtful he will play." Golembiewski said.

Either way the Icecats are looking for a weekend filled with some tough hockey games.

"Fans should enjoy the Penn State game," Golembiewski said. "It'll be a barn burner."