Oct. 28, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - While sophomore forwards Amy Petersen and Laura Bowman were growing up together and playing hockey in Minnetonka, Minn., junior forward Hannah Hoenshell was lacing up her skates in Plano, Texas.
Now, the trio synergize on the top line for the Nittany Lions.
With Petersen playing left wing, assistant captain Bowman positioned as center and Hoenshell on the right wing, opposing teams have struggled to prevent Penn State's heavy offensive attack.
This past weekend Penn State (3-3-2) split a two-game home series at Pegula Ice Arena against Princeton (1-1-0), winning Sunday night, 2-1, but falling late Monday afternoon, 4-1.
All three Penn State goals against the Tigers came from the top line of the Nittany Lions.
"That whole line continues to move their feet," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "When you move your feet and make good decisions with the puck good things happen."
Petersen netted two first period goals in the opening contest while Bowman scored the only goal in the second game.
"Overall we have really good chemistry as a line," said Hoenshell. "Obviously they've (Petersen and Bowman) played together since [they were little]. I just came in there, and they're really easy to play with. We see each other pretty well."
In Penn State's 2-1 victory, Petersen's first goal came on the power play when she buried the rebound from a Kelly Seward shot into the back of the net. Then it was a nifty Hoenshell pass to open Petersen in the slot to help her line mate notch goal number two.
With two more goals on Sunday, Petersen now leads the team with six goals in just eight games played.
"I think a lot of my success is because of my line mates," said Petersen. "They're getting me the puck in front of the net or taking good low shots and there are rebounds."
Bowman scored the first goal of the second period on Monday with a beautiful wrist shot assisted by Petersen. She nearly scored again when a wrist shot ricocheted off of the post and crossbar. Initially ruled no goal, the play was reviewed and confirmed.
"It was impossible from our bench to tell whether it went back bar in the net, post and out, or top bar to the post and out," said Brandwene.
For Bowman, being able to skate on the same line as Petersen at the collegiate level is a dream come true. The two grew up playing together from a young age all the way through high school.
"It's great. It's amazing, and I love playing with [Petersen]," said Bowman. "I've loved playing with her since day one. We have such great chemistry. We don't even have to talk basically on the ice, we just know where each other is, and we are always supporting each other."
Despite Hoenshell not playing with the two Minnesotans prior to her arrival at Penn State, Petersen says that the Texas native fits right in with herself and Bowman.
"Hannah's easy to play with," said Petersen. "She likes to move the puck a lot, which fits into how Laura and I play. Just communicating. We know each other is going to be out there, so it works well."
Bowman echoed the words of Petersen.
"Hannah Hoenshell is a great addition to our line," said Bowman. "She has blended into our line so well. She has the same hockey mind as we do...I personally don't think we've ever had a better line mate than Hannah."
Petersen, Bowman and Hoenshell have now accounted for seven of Penn State's 12 goals this season, and it does not seem like the trio will be slowing down any time soon.