The Penn men's club ice hockey team will host the second annual Liberty Bell Invitational this weekend at the Class of 1923 Rink.

After a successful weekend last fall, the tournament boasts some of the area's best college hockey teams. Drexel, Penn, Temple and newcomer to the tournament, Seton Hall, will compete for this year's crown.

"We have had a lot of success with this tournament," said tournament director and Penn coach Whit Matthews. "We use it as a fundraiser for the team and a way to expose ourselves to the city of Philadelphia.

"It's a great way to start off the season."

In last year's inaugural tournament, Drexel defeated Penn in the championship game.

Coming off an impressive year including a berth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament, Drexel appears to be poised for a repeat victory.

Additionally, the Dragons will be starting their quest for a second consecutive invitation to the national tournament.

"Drexel is the favorite going in" said Matthews. "The final should be a hard fought battle between Penn and Drexel."

Although the Dragons appear to be the class of the invitational, the Quakers are on a bit of a winning streak themselves. Penn boasts a nine-game winning streak extending back to last January, including Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association regular season and playoff championships.

The Red and Blue will stand in Drexel's way, hoping to continue last year's winning ways and extend the streak to eleven while bringing home a first place trophy.

The Quakers will face a much-improved Temple team in the first round.

"We can't overlook Temple" Penn captain Todd Leri said. "They play hard."

With a large freshman class, Penn improved its depth this year. Additionally, the Quakers' experience make them the clear favorite against the Owls in the first round.

"We definitely have a solid team this year" Leri said. "Drexel is going to be rough, but I could see us pulling the upset.

"With Patrick Baude in goal doing a great job and a lot of depth, we are the favorite against Temple."

Indeed, the Owls should not be underestimated. The Quakers will face a tough squad which is determined to better its second-place finish in the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference last season.

The Liberty Bell Invitational will be a major attraction for hockey fans this weekend.

With intense city and regional rivalries, this weekend's tournament is sure to live up to its billing. 

Colby Zaph and the Penn men's club ice hockey team took on Drexel in the 

finals of the Liberty Bell invitational last year.

by David Young
September 25, 2002

The Daily Pennsylvanian