| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 13, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion men's hockey team (6-24-2, 2-15-1-0 Big Ten) will close out the regular season this weekend when it welcomes RV/NR Ohio State (15-12-5, 5-8-5-4 Big Ten) to Pegula Ice Arena for the first time March 14-15. Opening faceoff Friday night is set for 7 p.m., while the Senior Day matchup Saturday is at 3 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Video streams of both games will be available on Video.BTN.com. The radio broadcasts will air on WRSC 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com.
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.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
The Nittany Lions will recognize their lone senior, Michael McDonagh, prior to Saturday's game. The Wilmington, Mass., native has appeared in 13 games this season and 36 career games, totaling seven points (1g, 6a), during Penn State's two-year NCAA history. In addition, he collected 47 points (17g, 30a) in 61 career games during his two seasons with the Icers, Penn State's American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I club team, prior to the establishment of the NCAA squad.
BIG TEN QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP SET
With one weekend left in the regular season, Penn State's Big Ten quarterfinal opponent is set as the Nittany Lions will face third-seeded Michigan Thursday, March 20. Although Ohio State can tie Michigan in league points, the Wolverines hold the first conference tiebreaker with more Big Ten wins.
Penn State is 2-2-0 against the Wolverines this season, picking up its first conference victory with a 4-0 shutout Feb. 8 before earning its first league road victory with a 5-4 overtime triumph Feb. 21.
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions dropped both their games against No. 5 Wisconsin last weekend, falling by 4-2 and 3-2 (OT) scores March 7-8, respectively.
Friday night, forwards Casey Bailey and Taylor Holstrom scored third-period goals to cut the Badger lead to 3-2, but Wisconsin added a late empty-net tally. On March 8, the Nittany Lions twice erased one-goal deficits, including Kenny Brooks' tying marker with 2:44 left in regulation, but Wisconsin scored in overtime for the one-goal victory.
THIS SEASON VS. THE BUCKEYES
Penn State fell to the Buckeyes by 5-1 and 5-2 scores during its first trip to Columbus Jan. 31-Feb. 1, respectively.
In the series opener, Penn State fell behind, 4-0, before freshman David Goodwin tallied the lone PSU goal. Classmate Eamon McAdam turned aside 27 shots. On Feb. 1, freshman Dylan Richard recorded his first career multi-point game (1g, 1a) as Penn State flew out to a two-goal lead. The Buckeyes then responded five times over the final 40 minutes for the win. Sophomore Matthew Skoff made 19 saves.
FILLING PEGULA ICE ARENA
Nittany Lion fans have packed Pegula Ice Arena during the facility's inaugural season, filling the 5,782-seat arena with an average of 6,033 fans per game. Penn State has played to a sellout crowd in 15 of 16 home games, with more than 6,000 fans filing into the arena on 11 occasions. The Nittany Lions are one of five NCAA Division I programs to play at more than 100 percent capacity at their home events.
IRON MEN
Four Nittany Lions - Kenny Brooks, Taylor Holstrom, Patrick Koudys, Eric Scheid - have appeared in all 32 games.
SKATING THE GAUNTLET
The Nittany Lions have faced some of the best teams in the nation during their second NCAA season. Based on the current USCHO.com rankings, the Nittany Lions have played the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 15 ranked teams.
SHORTHANDED SUCCESS
The Nittany Lions have scored five shorthanded goals - tied for first in the Big Ten - in 2013-14.
SCHEID SURGING
Forward Eric Scheid is tied for ninth in the conference in goals (11) and fifth in power-play goals (4).
FRESHMAN SUCCESS
David Goodwin ranks sixth in the league among rookies in points (7-9---16), while Ricky DeRosa (5-7--12) and Dylan Richard (4-8--12) are tied for 10th.
SACRIFICING THE BODY
Junior defenseman Patrick Koudys is fourth in the Big Ten with 68 blocked shots.
JOINING THE FUN
Twenty-one of the Nittany Lions' 23 skaters have notched at least one point during the 2013-14 season.
IN THE CIRCLE
Freshman David Goodwin ranks fourth in the Big Ten with a .576 faceoff winning percentage. Sophomore David Glen (.573) ranks seventh, while redshirt junior Taylor Holstrom (.569) ranks ninth.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Penn State underclassmen have accounted for nearly 77 percent of the team's offense.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Nittany Lions will return to action next weekend when they open Big Ten tournament play against third-seeded Michigan Thursday, March 20. The inaugural Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Championship will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., March 20-22. Game time for the Nittany Lions' quarterfinal matchup will be at either 3 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET.