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Feb. 27, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's hockey team (6-20-2, 2-11-1-0 Big Ten) will make its first trip to Mariucci Arena where it will face second-ranked Minnesota (21-4-5, 10-2-2-0 Big Ten) for a two-game series beginning Friday, Feb. 28.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Both games against the Golden Gophers will be televised live. Friday night's game will air on BTN and BTN2go.com, while Saturday's game will broadcast on NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Live Extra. In addition, fans can listen to the radio broadcast on GoPSUsports.com and the Penn State Sports Network.
LAST TIME VS. MINNESOTA
Penn State fell to then-No. 1 Minnesota by 3-2 and 5-2 scores at Pegula Ice Arena Jan. 12-13, respectively. Sophomores David Glen and Curtis Loik, who collected his first career-multi-point game Jan. 13, led the Nittany Lions with a goal and an assist each in the series, while sophomore Kenny Brooks and junior Taylor Holstrom added one goal each.
Freshman Eamon McAdam collected a combined 62 saves, including a career-high 42 stops Jan. 12, as he started both games against the Gophers.
MINNESOTA NATIVES
The Nittany Lions boast three Minnesota natives - Max Gardiner (Deephaven), Nate Jensen (Shorewood), Eric Scheid (Blaine) - on the 2013-14 roster.
IRON MEN
Four Nittany Lions - Kenny Brooks, Taylor Holstrom, Patrick Koudys, Eric Scheid - have appeared in all 28 games.
SKATING THE GAUNTLET
Penn State is facing some of the best teams in the nation during its second NCAA season. Based on the current USCHO.com rankings, the Nittany Lions have faced the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 13 and 17 ranked teams in the country.
LIONS SPLIT WITH WOLVERINES
Despite falling to then-No. 10 Michigan, 5-2, in the series finale Feb. 22, Penn State earned a season split with the Wolverines at 2-2-0. Backed by a 32-save shutout by Matthew Skoff, Penn State earned its first conference victory with a 4-0 win vs. Michigan at Pegula Ice Arena Feb. 8.
The Nittany Lions then earned their first league road victory with a 5-4 overtime win at Michigan Feb. 21. Freshman forward David Goodwin netted the game-winning goal after Casey Bailey evened the score with five seconds remaining.
With the road win, Penn State became the first Big Ten team to defeat the Wolverines both at home and on the road. Based on the current league standings, Penn State and Michigan would face each other in the Big Ten quarterfinals.
BAILEY AT HIS BEST
Sophomore Casey Bailey, who recorded four points through the first 19 games of the season, has accumulated six points in the last seven games. The Anchorage, Alaska, native scored two goals against Michigan Feb. 21 for his first two-goal game since Dec. 29, 2012.
GOODWIN GROOVING
David Goodwin netted his first two-goal and third multi-point game of the season against Michigan Feb. 21. The Des Peres, Mo., native was named Big Ten Third Star of the Week after recording a three-point weekend (2g, 1a) vs. Michigan.
RICHARD ROLLING
Freshman forward Dylan Richard has recorded four points (2g, 2a) in the last four games. He added a goal and an assist Feb. 21 for his second multi-point game of the year.
HOLSTROM'S HELPING HAND
Redshirt junior Taylor Holstrom has recorded five points, including four assists, in the last six games.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following their series with Minnesota, the Nittany Lions will return to Pegula Ice Arena for a two-game series with No. 6/6 Wisconsin March 7-8. Opening faceoff for both games is set at 7 p.m.