Nov. 21, 2012
Saturday: Listen | Live Stats | Game Notes
Sunday: Listen | Live Stats
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the first time in program history, the Penn State men's hockey team will face an ECAC Hockey and ranked opponent when the Nittany Lions travel to No. 8 Union for a weekend series at Messa Rink beginning Saturday, Nov. 24.
Penn State (6-3-0) will enter the series following a weekend split against Air Force Nov. 9-10. The eighth-ranked Dutchmen (6-2-1), who appeared in last season's Frozen Four, will represent the Nittany Lions' second straight opponent that appeared in the 2012 NCAA tournament.
Opening faceoff for Saturday night's matchup is set at 7 p.m., while puck drop Sunday, Nov. 25 will be 4 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can listen to this weekend's games on the Penn State Sports Network and through the All-Access channel at GoPSUsports.com. Live stats will also be available, while fans can follow in-game updates through the team's Twitter account (@PennStateMHKY).
SCOUTING UNION
The Dutchmen will enter Friday night's matchup with a 6-2-1 record after Union fell to then-No. 12 Dartmouth, 3-2, Nov. 10. Prior to their loss to the Big Green, the Dutchmen compiled a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) from Oct. 12-Nov. 9. Union comes into the weekend ranking second in the country in scoring offense (4.33).
The Dutchmen special teams has excelled in 2012-13, ranking first in the NCAA in power play efficiency (14-for-44, .318) and ninth in penalty kill (.886). Union has allowed only four power-play goals on the season, while tallying five shorthanded markers.
LONE ECAC HOCKEY MATCHUPS
Penn State's games against Union will be the program's first and only against an ECAC Hockey team in 2012-13. Prior to this weekend's games, all of the Nittany Lions' NCAA Division I opponents came from Atlantic Hockey.
FIRST RANKED OPPONENT
Union represents the Nittany Lions' first ranked opponent in program history. The Dutchmen are ranked No. 8 in both the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazineand USCHO.com polls.
FROZEN ENEMY
Union, which appeared in last season's Frozen Four, represents one of at least three teams (Air Force, Michigan State) on Penn State's 2012-13 schedule that appeared in the 2012 NCAA tournament. The Nittany Lions are 1-1-0 against 2012 NCAA tournament teams.
FAMILIAR FOES
Several players on both Penn State and Union were teammates during their junior careers.
| PSU | UC | TEAM |
| Bailey | Hatch | Alberni Valley (BCHL) |
| Friedman | Cruice | South Shore (EJHL) |
| Jensen | Grosenick | Cedar Rapids (USHL) |
| Juha | Jooris | Burlington (OJHL) |
| Lordo | Coatta | Sioux Falls (USHL) |
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Penn State has had at least five different goal scorers in three games this season (10/26 at Army, 10/27 at Sacred Heart, 11/10 vs. Air Force). Fifteen players have recorded at least two points, while 18 Nittany Lions have reached the scoresheet this season.
MODELS OF CONSISTENCY
Freshman David Glen has recorded at least one point in six games this season, while linemates Kenny Brooks and Curtis Loik and classmate Casey Baileyhave notched at least one point in five games. Glen (3g, 4a) and Loik (2g, 2a) recorded team-leading four-game point-scoring streaks from Oct. 20-Nov. 3.
MARK IT DOWN
Another program first was accomplished Nov. 10 against Air Force when Michael McDonaghscored the first empty-net goal in program history.
GARDINER'S CAREER NIGHT
Sophomore forward Max Gardinerrecorded the first three-point game of his career against Air Force Nov. 10. The Deephaven, Minn., native, who tallied three points (1g, 2a) in 17 games with Minnesota in 2010-11, has two goals and six assists in 2012-13.
PENALTY KILL SUCCESS
After surrendering six power-play goals in 19 chances to open the season, the Penn State penalty kill has gone 26-for-28 during the last six games. The Nittany Lions went three straight games without allowing a power-play goal (RIT, Army, Sacred Heart) before Buffalo State scored a first-period, power-play marker Nov. 3.
LIONS IN THE NCAA
As of Nov. 18, freshman David Glen ranks third among the nation's freshmen with 1.11 points per game, while classmate Casey Baileyis tied for 13th (0.89). Penn State ranks 11th in the country in scoring offense (3.33) and averages the second-most penalty minutes per game (18.6).
FRESHMAN IMPACT
All nine of Penn State's skating freshmen have recorded at least one point during the 2012-13 season. Penn State freshmen account for seven of the Nittany Lions' top-10 point-scorers.
LOOKING AHEAD
After facing off against Union, the Nittany Lions will return home for a pair of exhibition matchups against the Arizona State club hockey team Nov. 30-Dec. 1.