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Jan. 23, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's hockey team will play a ranked opponent for the 10th time in a 13-game span when it welcomes second-ranked Boston College to Pegula Ice Arena Saturday, Jan. 25. Opening faceoff between the Nittany Lions (4-14-1) and Eagles (17-4-3) is set at 7 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Fans can watch Penn State's final non-conference game of the season on the Big Ten Digital Network at Video.BTN.com. An audio broadcast will air on GoPSUsports.com and the Penn State Sports Network.
LIMITED BAG POLICY
Penn State has implemented a limited bag policy at all home athletic events this season. One clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for medical needs, child care needs and general items as needed. Items that can fit in a pocket should remain in patrons' pockets (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet, glasses, camera, sunscreen, lip balm, make-up). General items of this nature, including those that don't fit in patrons' pocket, can also be placed in a clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag.
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Nittany Lions will play their final non-conference game of 2013-14 when they welcome Boston College to Pegula Ice Arena. The teams are meeting for the second time this season after facing off in the Three Rivers Classic championship game.
PACKING PEGULA
Nittany Lions fans have packed Pegula Ice Arena during the facility's inaugural season, filling the 5,782-seat arena with an average of 5,998 fans per game. Penn State has played to a sellout crowd in eight of nine home games, with the Dec. 1 matchup against Union the lone exception.
BEST TEAMS VISITING HOCKEY VALLEY
Saturday's game will be Penn State's seventh home matchup of the season against a ranked team. Including their matchup with Boston College, the Nittany Lions last three home contests will have been against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country.
Although Union was ranked at No. 15 when the two teams played at Pegula Ice Arena, the Dutchmen are currently ranked third in the USCHO.com poll.
SKATING THE GAUNTLET
Penn State is facing some of the best teams in the nation during its second NCAA season. Saturday's matchup against Boston College will mark the Nittany Lions' 10th game against a ranked opponent in a 13-game span.
LAST LEAD HELD AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE
The last time the Nittany Lions held a lead was in the first period of their last matchup against Boston College in the Three Rivers Classic championship game Dec. 28. The Eagles have only trailed five times in four games during their current 10-game unbeaten streak.
SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE
The Eagles, who sit atop the Hockey East standings, enter Happy Valley on a 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1), which is tied for longest in the nation with Minnesota.
Boston College boasts three of the nation's top nine scorers -- Johnny Gaudreau (1st/2.00 points per game), Kevin Hayes (3rd, 1.79 ppg), Bill Arnold (t-9th, 1.38 ppg).
JUHA AMONG NATION'S BEST
Sophomore defenseman Luke Juha is tied for fifth among NCAA blueliners with four power-play goals. His four extra-man markers lead Big Ten defensemen while his eight power-play points place him second.
The Mississauga, Ont., native's 12 points place him fourth among Big Ten defensemen.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following tonight's game, Penn State will return to Big Ten play against Ohio State Jan. 31-Feb. 1. The Saturday afternoon matchup in Columbus will air live on ESPNEWS.