Dec. 4, 2013
By Jackson Thibodeau, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Behind a dominant goaltending performance, strong defensive pressure and abundant goal scoring opportunities, the Nittany Lions skated to a 1-1 tie with Maine last Saturday (Nov. 30).
"I liked the amount of scoring chances we generated," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "We generated a tonof good opportunities, we had good offensive pressure from a number of lines and that's something we can build on."
The flurry of offensive chances was rewarded on the stat sheet with 30 registered shots on goal for Penn State, while Maine compiled 45 shot chances, as well.
Sophomore Shannon Yoxheimer scored the lone goal of the game for the Blue and White for her fifth goal of the season. The strike came late in the second period via a feed from Hannah Hoenshell and Jordin Pardoski.
"We were obviously off to a slow start in the first period on both sides of the ice," said Yoxheimer. "We really picked it up and played our game in the second and third periods and we were able to generate a lot of [scoring] opportunities."
Saturday's outing with the Black Bears marked the second straight game that Yoxheimer found the back of the net, a streak that comes after a multiple game scoring drought.
"Shannon's process has been great all along and it was only a matter of time before you saw her start scoring goals again," said Brandwene. "She has played so consistently throughout the entire season and she prepares the same for every game."
At the other end of the ice, senior goalie Nicole Paniccia held the Black Bears off the scoreboard until Maine was able to find the net with just eight seconds remaining in the second period. The netminder's astounding 44 saves helped increase her season save percentage to 91 percent.
"Honestly she [Paniccia] kept us in the game and if it wasn't for her, the outcome would have been different," Yoxheimer said.
The draw marked the halfway point of the season for Penn State in terms of games, with the Nittany Lions owning a 3-12-2 overall record. The Lions also own a 1-7-1 College Hockey America record with 17 games still to be played on the regular season schedule.
Brandwene has emphasized an attention to detail to the team throughout the season. Now, at the midway point of the season, he is pleased with the strides the team has made since September.
"I like how so many subtle things are becoming habits," said Brandwene, who noted that he has seen an improvement in back checking and decision making in the neutral zone. "It's those little things that will benefit us now and continue to benefit us into the second half of the season."
Another point of emphasis from the coaching staff and the captains to the team has been to put in a full 60 minutes worth of effort into each game. After the win at Lindenwood and Saturday's tie, the team feels as if they are doing a better job at competing throughout the entire contest.
"We are still focused on playing a full 60 minutes every single game and the biggest thing as a team that we need to be consistent with is our 60 minute theme," Yoxheimer said. "Coming off our win at Lindenwood, I think we have really improved at executing for the full game time and the results have really showed."
Although the team's record isn't exactly what they want it to be, Brandwene has seen many positive points to take away from the first half of the season.
"I like our development, I love our growth, and we've got great chemistry and effort," Brandwene said. "It's always a continual effort to make it as consistent as it possibly can be and that's the real challenge going forward."
Next up for the Nittany Lions is a weekend series in Erie, Pa. against Mercyhurst--a team that was given much praise during the preseason and has accumulated a 10-5-2 record to this point.
The week of preparation ahead will feel slightly different than last week's Thanksgiving holiday practice schedule, in which the team remained on campus while classes weren't in session.
"It was a great bonding experience to be here over Thanksgiving," said Yoxheimer. "Obviously there's no place like home but we certainly had a great time together as a team and got to bond the whole week."