Oct. 16, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Nittany Lion women's hockey team plays its first games at Pegula Ice Arena on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) when Union visits Hockey Valley.
| PENN STATE (1-2-1, 0-0-0 CHA) vs. UNION (2-3-0, 0-0-0 ECAC Hockey) | |
| Games 5-6: Oct. 18-19, 2013 • Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pa. | |
| VENUE | Pegula Ice Arena (5,782) |
| FRIDAY COVERAGE | BTN.com | |
| SATURDAY COVERAGE | BTN.com | |
| SERIES RECORD | Penn State trails, 0-2-0 |
| LAST MEETING | Jan. 12, 2013, Union 2-1 (at UC) |
| NEXT TIME OUT | Oct. 26-27 vs. New Hampshire at Pegula Ice Arena |
| Penn State Game Notes | |
TICKETS (Ticket Home Page)
Fans can purchase season tickets for $50 (17 games) or select single-game tickets for $5. All Penn State students gain free entry with valid ID and can sit in the Roar Zone. Men's hockey premium season ticket holders gain complimentary admission as well. Seating will be general admission on the north side of the building behind the team benches in sections 108-112.
PROMOTIONS & PARKING (Women's Hockey Parking Map)
Fans attending this weekend's games will receive merchandise with exclusive Penn State Hockey memorabilia including pucks, commemorative tickets holders, lanyards, schedule cards and more. Also, fans will get the chance to skate with the team at the Pegula Ice Arena for FREE on Friday night.
Parking for Penn State women's hockey games is free in certain lots around Pegula Ice Arena including Shields & Wagner Yellow Lots H as well as Orange Lot F near Holuba Hall and East Area Locker Room.
GAME NOTES
• Penn State hosts Union in Pegula Ice Arena home opener
• Nittany Lions host next eight games in Hockey Valley
• Lions dropped two games at Quinnipiac last week; Union lost to BU & Northeastern
• Union took a pair of one-goal games last season in Schenectady, N.Y.
• Penn State's freshmen and sophomores have tallied 18 of team's 22 points
• Celine Whitlinger had 55 saves at QU; leads team in saves, save pct. and GAA
SCOUTING THE DUTCHWOMEN
Union (2-3-0) comes into this weekend on a three-game losing streak with two narrow losses to touted Northeastern (2-1) and No. 7 Boston University (3-2) last weekend. Prior to that, Union had won its first two games over Connecticut (3-2) and Providence (5-2) before the Friars took a 6-2 decision. The Dutchwomen score at a 2.6 goals per game clip, while giving up three goals a game. Leading the offense has been sophomore Courtney Turner with two goals and four assists, all of which game in the season's first three games. Christine Valente has a team-high three goals, including one against BU. In net, the Dutchwomen are aided by the exploits of junior Shenae Lundberg (2-3-0, 2.76 GAA, .916 save percentage). Lundberg has seen nearly all the time in net for Union since arriving on campus, compiling a 9-35-3 overall record in 47 starts, a 3.15 GAA and .901 save percentage.
LAST SEASON VS. UNION
Penn State and Union met for the first time last season at Messa Rink in Schenectady, N.Y. The Dutchwomen skated away victors in both matchups, 1-0 and 2-1. Celine Whitlinger made 48 saves in the opener, allowing just a lone tally with four minutes left in the game. The next day, Penn State found itself two goals down four minutes into the third period before Jess Desorcie but the lead in half. Nevertheless, PSU couldn't find the equalizer. Nicole Paniccia stopped 34 Union efforts.
PENN STATE HAS A #NEWDEN
On Sept. 6, Mortensen Construction turned the keys over to Penn State and its new $90 million home, Pegula Ice Arena. The Nittany Lions host 17 games in the state-of-the-art arena that seats 5,782 beginning with a series vs. Union (Oct. 18-19). The Nittany Lions host an eight-game home stand over 23 days. Friday night's opening ceremonies will bring back Penn State hockey alums including former coach Billie Willits and former Penn State goaltender and 2008 Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler.
YOUTH SUPPLIES THE OFFENSE
The four additions of freshmen Laura Bowman, Amy Petersen, Sarah Nielsen and Kelly Seward have injected an instant bump in scoring production with 10 of the team's 22 points. Bowman and Seward have each tallied two goals, while Nielsen (4 assists) and Petersen (2) combined for six assists. To prove the youth of the team, 18 of the team's 22 points (81.8%) were collectively tallied by freshmen and sophomores.
LIONS SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN OVER ECAC HOCKEY
Last season the Nittany Lions went 0-5-0 against teams from ECAC Hockey and Quinnipiac pushed that record to 0-7-0. The Union games are the two of seven matchups against the ECAC, which is comprised of seven Ivy League teams and five other Northeastern schools.
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State continues its eight-game home stand when it faces New Hampshire on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27 at Pegula Ice Arena. The matchups between Penn State and New Hampshire will be the first on the ice in women's hockey.