Jan. 1, 2015
| OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE | |
10-7-3, 5-4-1 CHA |
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| Sat., Jan. 3 (7 p.m.) // Sun., Jan. 4 (2 p.m.) | |
| Pegula Ice Arena (5,782) | University Park, Pa. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
| INFORMATION: Seating | Parking | Tickets | Bag Policy |
PROMOTIONS Youth Hockey Weekend - Youth hockey participants receive Sunday |
| SATURDAY: Live Video ($) | |
| SUNDAY: Live Video ($) | |
| Women's Hockey Blog |
| Follow Us: @PennStateWHKY | Facebook | Instagram |
| Season Statistics: Penn State | Ohio State |
| Game Notes: Penn State | Ohio State |
| INSIDE THE NUMBERS | ||
| PSU | OSU | |
| 46 | Goals | 43 |
| 2.3 | Goals per Game | 2.2 |
| 444 | Shots | 558 |
| 22.2 | Shots per Game | 27.9 |
| .215 (14-65) | Power Play | .121 (11-91) |
| .813 (49-61) | Penalty Kill | .831 (54-65) |
| 2.35 | Goals Against Average | 2.19 |
| .928 | Save Percentage | .913 |
| 2 | Shutouts | 5 |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Jan. 1, 2015 - The Penn State women's hockey team opens the New Year with a two-game non-conference set, hosting Ohio State on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.
ADMISSION & BAG POLICY
Fans attending Penn State women's hockey games at Pegula Ice Arena will have to comply with Penn State University's Bag Policy. Fans are advised that no bags larger than backpacks may be brought into the stadium grounds. All bags will be searched upon entrance into the arena. For more information visit the Safety Policy SY44 Page or Penn State's Bag Policy Page.
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking for both games is free. Fans are advised to park in Jordan East or Beaver West, with additional parking availability in Orange F. If you're attending women's hockey, tell the parking attendant which event you'll be going to and you will not be charged.
SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES
Ohio State brings a 10-8-2 record to Pegula Ice Arena, coming off of a series sweep, the team's fourth of the year, over Bemidji State in the Buckeyes' last games of 2014. In the weekend finale, Claudia Kepler netted a pair of goals en route to a 2-1 win. Stacy Danczak led the Buckeyes to their fifth shutout of the season in the series opener. Overall, Sara Schmitt leads the charge offensively, with her team-high 15 points and 0.83 points per game ranked ninth among NCAA defensemen. Kassidy Sauve and Danczak have shared duties between the pipes, allowing 2.39 goals per game.
RIDING HIGH
The Nittany Lions return from winter break riding high following the program's first CHA series sweep over No. 6 Mercyhurst on Dec. 12 and 13. The sweep marked the first two wins over a ranked opponent, as Penn State vaulted into a tie for second place in the CHA with a program-best 10 wins.
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
After hosting the third-largest crowd in program history in the weekend finale against No. 6 Mercyhurst (1,257), the Nittany Lions moved into the 10th spot for attendance among Division I teams. Penn State's average attendance of 480 for its eight home games is the second-most in the CHA, behind RIT.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
In their third varsity season, the Nittany Lions are producing the best campaign in the program's history. The 2014-15 team, which is unbeaten in at least one game every weekend this season, has set Penn State's win (10) and shorthanded goal (2) records. The Nittany Lions have also captured a program-best nine CHA weekly honors. Individually, Shannon Yoxheimer holds season records for game-winners (4) and goals by a junior (8). Amy Petersen and Laura Bowman are the school's record holders for goals (11) by a sophomore. Bowman also holds the class points record (23).
POWER PLAY POWERHOUSE
The Nittany Lions have produced one of the top power plays in the country, scoring at least one power play goal every weekend but one this season. Hannah Bramm, Amy Petersen and Laura Bowman lead the team with three goals each, tied for 15th nationally, helping Penn State to the 10th-best power play in the NCAA (21.2%).
WHAT AN HONOR
For their historic start to the season, the Nittany Lions have been rewarded famously with CHA weekly awards. Celine Whitlinger is a four-time Goaltender of the Week honoree, a conference-best. Hannah Ehresmann and Caitlin Reilly both captured Rookie of the Week accolades, with Reilly earning a pair of Rookie of the Week honors, while Laura Bowman is a two-time Player of the Week pick. The nine CHA weekly honors are the most in a season in program history.
THE PUCK STOPS HERE
A major reason for the Nittany Lions' success this season has been the play of its goaltenders, Celine Whitlinger and Hannah Ehresmann. The Blue and White is the only team in the nation with two goaltenders among top-15 in save percentage; Ehresmann is ninth and Whitlinger is 14th. Penn State is also one of only two schools with two netminders among the top-20 in goals against average (North Dakota). Ehresmann has the 12th-best goals against average nationally with a 2.05 and Whitlinger is 19th at 2.41.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Following an historic weekend versus No. 6 Mercyhurst, Laura Bowman collected her second CHA Player of the Week award this season and Celine Whitlinger picked up Goaltender of the Week honors for the second-straight week and fourth time this year. In the series finale, Bowman posted the second hat trick in program history and Whitlinger made 36 saves in her third-straight win.
MINNETONKA MAGIC
Amy Petersen, Laura Bowman and Hannah Ehresmann have helped lead the Nittany Lions to their best start in program history at 10-7-3. Bowman is second in the conference with 1.15 points per game, the 24th-best mark nationally, after scoring the second hat trick in program history and the second hat trick in the CHA this season. Petersen's 1.10 points per game is tied for third in the CHA, ranked 28th in the NCAA. Ehresmann's 2.05 goals against average and a .934 save percentage are the conference's third-best marks.
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State takes a week off before continuing its six-game homestand against RIT. The Nittany Lions welcome the Tigers on Sat., Jan. 17 at noon and Sun., Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.