Jan. 30, 2013
By Pat White GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Nittany Lions (10-13-0) are coming off of an emotional 3-2 victory against Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena last weekend and look to carry the momentum into their weekend series against ACHA opponent Ohio (22-5-0-1).
Penn State has suffered a few letdowns this season when coming off emotional victories, such as a loss to Division III opponent Neumann after a successful series against the US U18 National Team. After the loss to Neumann, Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky questioned his team's mental toughness.
Since that loss, Penn State has appeared mentally tougher and put the Neumann game on the back burner. Gadowsky has seen an improvement in recent results and the overall swagger of the team.
"It is something that is expected for a young team to go through," Gadowsky said. "We're happy with the results since that time."
This weekend's series against Ohio will be a test to see if the Penn State has learned its lesson in not taking opponents lightly. Gadowsky stated that mental toughness is not about winning on the big stage or against future Big Ten opponents, but being mentally prepared for whatever team they face.
"You come off a big win and then you play someone you're supposed to beat," Gadowsky said, "it's a tough thing to do. It is a test of mental toughness...sometimes it's harder to beat opponents that it's harder to get up for."
Some members of the team are familiar with Ohio from playing in the ACHA. They know that they are a talented team and need to be prepared for a hard fought series. Last season the Lions were 4-0 against Ohio, but had to come back from early deficits in three of those games.
Sophomore forward Tommy Olczyk (Long Grove, Ill.) knows that Ohio is not a team to be taken lightly. He registered two goals and two assists in four games against the Bobcats last season, and stressed that the team must be mentally tough no matter who the opponent is.
"It doesn't matter that level you play, hockey is hockey," Olczyk said. "Any team has a chance to win on any given night...We played Ohio last year and they played us really tough. They are a [much] respected ACHA hockey team."
Olczyk added that there is a great hockey tradition between Penn State and Ohio with some animosity and passion between them. He is looking to the former guys on the ACHA squad, like senior George Saad (Wexford, Pa.) and junior Justin Kichhevel (Brookings, S.D.), to set the pace on Friday night in Hershey when the two teams duke it out at the Giant Center.
The Giant Center, home to the AHL's Hershey Bears, will be the sixth professional arena that the Nittany Lions have played in this season. The Nittany Lions are 4-1 when playing on a professional ice surface this season.
"I think that the atmosphere helps, especially with another game being in Pennsylvania," Olczyk said about playing at the Giant Center. "There is going to be a lot of Penn State alumni and fans. I think that will give us a little extra energy."
Two players who have excelled on the big stage this season are freshman forward David Glen (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) and junior Taylor Holstrom (Yorba Linda, Calif.). Both players have each tallied three goals and an assist in professional arenas, including a game-winning goal for each.
Holstrom added two goals and an assist against Michigan State last weekend and also scored the game winning goal last Saturday. Holstrom said the team elevates its game on the big stage, but aims to keep emotions in check and stay focused on the task at hand.
"I think we figured it out the hard way," Holstrom said. "We've come to practice with a little more intensity and are taking [every game] more seriously than we have in the past."
Despite not ever facing Ohio, Glen has witnessed the team's level of play drop against ACHA and Division III opponents at times this season. He wants to continue the team's recent ride of success this weekend.
"We can't take them lightly," Glen said. "We're building on mental toughness and this is part of it. We have to be prepared for every game and play our style of hockey."
Penn State will face Ohio on Friday (Feb. 1) at the Giant Center in Hershey at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions will then return home for the second game against the Bobcats at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion. Penn State has not played a game in its home rink in 18 days, its second longest road stretch of the season.
--NITTANY LIONS--