Update 4:00 p.m: It appears we’re back to where we started. College Hockey News cites two sources at Penn State confirming that Army will take the ice this Friday night for the first game at Pegula Ice Arena as scheduled.

Either way, Penn State fans are just happy that there will be a game.

With Army’s status as Penn State’s opponent this Friday at the Pegula Ice Arena opener in question due to the government shutdown, athletic officials are lining up a backup plan. According to Buffalo Business First, Canisius College in Buffalo is Penn State’s immediate backup if Army falls through.

The report cites Terry Pegula’s ties to Buffalo and the university as a reason for Canisius’s consideration.

“There has been some preliminary discussions,” confirmed Jason Venisky, Canisius associate director of athletics communications, to BBF. “We will have to make a final decision by Wednesday.”

Following speculation that parts of Army’s athletic department was in limbo because of the government shutdown, its athletic department confirmed last week that it would still be able to travel to Happy Valley for the opener. It appears now that Army may have jumped the gun with that confidence.

The Golden Griffiths went 19-19-5 last year and qualified for the 2013 NCAA Tournament in way of the Atlantic Hockey tournament title.

According to the report, a decision will be made tomorrow about the opening opponent. The game is sold out, with the cheapest tickets on StubHub coming in at just under $200.

Thank You Terry Blog has some analysis on how Canisius would impact Penn State’s schedule.