After a four-week break, the Penn State Icers travelled to New England to face
the Rhode Island Rams in an Atlantic League contest, and the Engineers of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute in an non-conference game.  On Saturday, the
Icers started slowly (probably from the break), and led only 1-0 at the end
of the first period.  With the Icers leading the Rams 2-1 early in the second,
Penn State started one of its patented "feeding frenzies", scoring four goals
in 1:40.  An interesting note on this:  the clock at the arena in West Warwick,
RI where this was being played malfunctioned during this outburst, and the fifth
minute of the period was played twice, and so it seemed that the Icers were
scoring fast enough to achieve time travel.  Penn State would add four more
in the second, leading 9-1 after two.  Rhode Island would never come back, as
the Icers outplayed the Rams in the third as well, and at the end, Penn State
had won their 15th straight, 14-2.  With the win, Penn State broke the team
record for longest unbeaten streak (previously set in 1981-82, I think).
John Gray picked up the win for the Icers.
 
Also with the win, Penn State moved to 15-0-0 overall, and took sole possession
of first place in the ACHL at 4-0-0.  Rhode Island dropped to 8-3-2, and 3-1-0
in the ACHL (second place).
 
On Sunday, the Icers headed to Westboro, MA to face the WPI Engineers.  Again,
the Icers started slowly, and led 2-1 at the end of the first period, but the
second period of this game would also be "feeding frenzy" time, as Penn State
scored five goals in under three minutes midway through the period.  The Icers
added one more in the third, as they defeated WPI 8-1.  Penn State moved to
16-0-0 overall, and WPI dropped to 5-6.  Penn State is outscoring their
opponents 150-27 so far this season.
 
Up next for the Icers:  a two-game home series with the #4 (?) team in the
ACHA, the Wolves of Michigan-Dearborn this Friday and Saturday at the Penn
State Ice Pavilion.  The two teams have met once this season, with the Icers
winning 4-1 in the Championship game of the Mich-Dearborn Tournament.
 
Jeremy Hall
Penn State Univ.
GO ICERS!!!