Feb. 22, 2013
Sunday: Listen | | Game Notes
Monday: Listen |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's hockey team will conclude its inaugural NCAA Division I season when it travels to Madison, Wis., for a two-game series against No. 18 Wisconsin beginning Sunday, Feb. 24. Opening faceoff Sunday is set at 8 p.m., while puck drop Monday will be at 8:30 p.m.
The Nittany Lions (12-13-0) and Badgers (13-10-7) will meet for the first time in program history. Sunday evening's game will air on Fox Sports Wisconsin, while Monday night's contest will air live on BTN.
FOLLOW ALONG
Audio streams for both games will be available through the All-Access channel at GoPSUsports.com. Fans can also listen to Penn State Hockey on the radio through the Penn State Sports Network (WRSC 103.1 FM locally). Live stats will be available for both games, while fans can follow in-game updates through the team's Twitter account (@PennStateMHKY).
REGULAR-SEASON FINALE
This weekend's series against the Badgers will represent Penn State's final two games during its inaugural NCAA Division I season.
SCOUTING THE BADGERS
Since Dec. 13, Wisconsin, which most recently split a two-game set against No. 2 Minnesota, holds an 11-3-2 record. In the series finale, the Badgers defeated the Gophers, 3-2, in front of 52,052 at Chicago's Soldier Field Feb. 17. Wisconsin is ranked at No. 18 in the latest USCHO.com poll.
NITTANY LIONS VS. RANKED FOES
Penn State is 0-2-0 against ranked opponents this season after falling to then-No. 8 Union, 2-0 and 4-1, Nov. 24-25, respectively.
WISCONSIN CONNECTION
Max Gardiner's brother, Jake, played for the Badgers from 2008-11. As a member of Minnesota during the 2010-11 season, Gardiner collected two assists in three games against the Badgers.
BIG TEN SUCCESS
Penn State is 2-1-0 against future Big Ten opponents in 2012-13. The Nittany Lions defeated Ohio State in the Three Rivers Classic Dec. 29 and split their two-game series against Michigan State Jan. 25-26.
NEAR THE HEAD OF THE CLASS
Freshman David Glen ranks second among the NCAA's freshmen with 16 goals, while Casey Bailey's 13 markers are tied for fourth.
ANCHORING THE BLUE LINE
Freshman defenseman Connor Varley is the only Penn State blue liner who has appeared in all 25 games this season.
YANIS MAKING AN IMPACT
Since returning from injury, defenseman Mark Yanis has recorded at least one point, including the game-winning goal against Alabama Huntsville Feb. 9, in five of the past six games.
HOLSTROM'S HOT STREAK
Junior forward Taylor Holstrom has recorded 12 points (6g, 6a) during his team-best eight-game points streak.
MAKING IT COUNT
The Nittany Lions are 10-6-0 when David Glen records at least one point and 9-6-0 when Casey Bailey reaches the score sheet. Penn State is 7-4-0 when sophomore Max Gardiner registers an assist.
POWER PLAY FOR THE WIN
Penn State holds a 9-2-0 record when it scores a power-play goal.
PENALTY KILL
Penn State has given its opposition at least two power-play opportunities in each game this season. After surrendering five goals in 19 chances to open the season, the Penn State penalty kill has gone 82-for-94 (.872) during the last 18 games.
LIONS CLOSE OUT GREENBERG
Penn State closed out Greenberg Ice Pavilion, which served as the home to Penn State Hockey since January 1981, with a 3-0 exhibition win against the ACHA's Oklahoma Sooners Feb. 16. Including exhibition games, Penn State sold out the arena in 14-of-15 games this season.