Dec. 9, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State women's hockey team is no stranger to a tough road schedule. The Nittany Lions traveled to Pittsburgh, Pa. and split with conference foe Robert Morris this past weekend.
Friday afternoon's contest was dominated by Penn State, as the Blue and White shutout the Colonials, 5-0. However, it was a different story Saturday, as the Colonials returned the favor by winning, 4-2.
"We're a team that's comfortable playing in any environment," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "We have a group of big time competitors, and I'm really pleased with the effort this weekend.
Penn State played very disciplined hockey down a player. Robert Morris went 0-for-9 on the player-advantage. In 18 games played this season, opponents are converting on just 21.8 percent of power play opportunities.
"It was a great effort from our penalty killers all weekend," said Brandwene. "They played with great confidence, great poise, and really good aggressiveness. I'm really pleased with their effort at both ends of the ice."
Additionally, Penn State scored a short-handed goal in each of the two games against the Colonials.
Micayla Catanzariti scored the first shorthanded goal in game one. Then, in game two, Laura Bowman continued the trend. Hannah Bramm added a power play goal, as well.
"I'm so proud of Micayla and her whole line," said Brandwene. "They continue to give us a great effort night in and night out. They do a great job as individual penalty killers, as well. It was great to see them get rewarded. It was a heck of a pass by Emily Laurenzi, as well."
Catanzariti's first goal of the season, the aforementioned shorthanded goal, was set up beautifully by her teammate, Emily Laurenzi.
"Great forecheck by Em Laurenzi," said Brandwene on how the play started. "Excellent work behind the goal line and a beautiful backhand saucer pass to Micayla who was in the right spot and had a great shot release."
Amy Petersen and Hannah Hoenshell each scored a goal while Shannon Yoxheimer added a pair of goals to round out Penn State's five.
Play between the pipes was equally as impressive over the weekend. Celine Whitlinger made a season-high 42 saves en route to her second-straight shutout, while Hannah Ehresmann stopped 33 shots in Saturday's loss.
"It was a terrific performance by Celine on Friday," said Brandwene. "Controlled, efficient. I'm really proud of her. Hannah battled hard. She did a great job of seeing pucks through traffic and excellent work on the penalty kill. I'm really pleased with the goaltending."
Despite winning the first game convincingly, the Nittany Lions were outshot in both contests, 42-21 and 37-21, respectively.
In response to the large shot differentials, Brandwene continues to look at each subsequent game as part of the process.
"We continue to strive for excellence in all three zones, in all aspects of our game, and I'm really pleased with the continued growth of this hockey team in all aspects," said Brandwene. "We are taking things one day at a time. I'm looking forward to getting back to work at the beginning of the week and stringing some practices together in preparation for the weekend."
The biggest take away from the two-game weekend series at 84 Lumber Arena was Penn State's apparent on-ice communication.
"Our on-ice communication was as good as it's been all season long," said Brandwene. "That's something I'm really pleased with. The players have taken great responsibility there, and it's something we're definitely going to build on."
The Nittany Lions will continue their progression in practice this week before facing off against Mercyhurst in a two-game home series at Pegula Ice Arena this upcoming Friday night and Saturday afternoon.