Nov. 3, 2012
VIDEO: Postgame Comments | Box Score
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Freshman forward David Glen (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) extended his point-scoring streak to four games and goaltender Matthew Skoff (McKees Rocks, Pa.) earned his first win with 23 saves as the Penn State men's hockey team topped Buffalo State, 4-2, at Greenberg Ice Pavilion Saturday night. The Nittany Lions improved to 5-2-0 with their fourth straight win, while Buffalo State fell to 2-2-1.
Glen, who has recorded seven points (3g, 4a) in the past four games, notched two goals, while sophomore forward Tommy Olczyk (Long Grove, Ill.) tallied the game-winner with his first NCAA goal. Senior forward Michael Longo (Allison Park, Pa.), who recorded a power-play goal, scored in his second straight game.
Buffalo State's Matt Bessing opened the scoring at 10:52 of the first period before the Nittany Lions scored three straight markers to take a 3-1 lead. Glen tallied his fourth of the season with 3:23 left in the first before Longo and Olczyk added second-period goals. The Bengals closed the gap to 3-2 with Mike Zanella's tally at 3:15 of the final frame before Glen's second of the contest sealed the victory with 3:24 left in the stanza.
Penn State outshot the Bengals by a 49-25 margin and finished 1-for-6 on the power play. Buffalo State was 1-for-6 with the man advantage, while Bengals netminder Kevin Carr turned aside 45 shots.
Buffalo State grabbed a 1-0 advantage with a power-play marker with 9:08 left in the opening frame. Skoff thwarted Bessing's first attempt before the forward sneaked one past the Penn State netminder. Drew Klin and Brett Hope garnered assists on the play.
Immediately following a Penn State power play, Glen evened the game at 1-1 with 3:23 left in the first. The freshman received a pass below the goal line before coming around the cage on his forehand and knocking home his own rebound.
Longo tallied a power-play marker at 9:52 of the second period as the Nittany Lions skated to a 2-1 advantage. Junior forward Michael McDonagh (Wilmington, Mass.) passed to defenseman Nate Jensen (Shorewood, Minn.), who raced into the offensive zone down the left-wing boards. With McDonagh crashing the far post, Jensen slid the puck to a trailing Longo in the slot, where he fired the puck into the net.
With 6:55 remaining the frame, Olczyk gave Penn State a 3-1 lead with his first NCAA goal. Junior forward Taylor Holstrom (Yorba Linda, Calif.) passed to sophomore Max Gardiner (Deephaven, Minn.) in the slot, where he slid the puck between his legs to Olczyk in the right circle. The Long Grove, Ill., native then one-timed a shot high to the glove side for the tally.
The Bengals closed the gap to 3-2 at 3:15 of the third period. From the right corner, Nick Melligan passed to Mike Zanella, who sent a shot high to the glove side.
With 3:24 remaining in the game, Glen notched his fifth goal of the season. After a Buffalo State defenseman misplayed the puck at his offensive blue line, Glen picked up the loose puck and skated down the left-wing boards. The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native then attempted to send a pass to classmate Kenny Brooks (Las Vegas, Nev.) in the slot, but the try was blocked before Glen fired the puck past Carr.
The Nittany Lions will return to action Friday, Nov. 9, when they welcome defending Atlantic Hockey champion and 2012 NCAA tournament participant Air Force to the Greenberg Ice Pavilion. Opening faceoff is set at 7:30 p.m.