Jan. 29, 2015
| SYRACUSE VS. PENN STATE | |
13-10-3, 7-4-1 CHA | 6-12-8, 4-4-4 CHA |
| Fri., Jan. 30 (7 p.m.) // Sat., Jan. 31 (2 p.m.) | |
| Pegula Ice Arena (5,782) | University Park, Pa. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
| INFORMATION: Seating | Parking | Tickets | Bag Policy |
PROMOTIONS Friday Saturday - Skate for a Cure |
| FRIDAY: Live Video ($) | | Live Audio |
| SATURDAY: Live Video ($) | |
| Women's Hockey Blog |
| Follow Us: @PennStateWHKY | Facebook | Instagram |
| Season Statistics: Penn State | Syracuse |
| Game Notes: Penn State |
| INSIDE THE NUMBERS | ||
| PSU | SYR | |
| 2.1 | Goals per Game | 2.0 |
| 566 | Shots | 756 |
| 21.8 | Shots per Game | 29.1 |
| .200 | Power Play | .147 |
| .821 | Penalty Kill | .818 |
| 2.35 | Goals Against Average | 2.99 |
| .928 | Save Percentage | .881 |
| 2 | Shutouts | 1 |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Jan. 29, 2015 - The second-place Nittany Lions (13-10-3, 7-4-1 CHA) return home to host CHA foe Syracuse on Fri., Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 31 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 women's hockey 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 ORANGE
Tied for third in the CHA standings with 12 points, the Orange (6-12-8, 4-4-4 CHA) roll in to Happy Valley after a heartbreaking overtime loss against RIT. Melissa Piacentini scored her team-best 13th goal with 11 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Also pacing Syracuse offensively is Stephanie Grossi, who tops the team with 22 points and an outstanding +12 mark. Her 15 helpers lead the CHA. Jenn Gilligan guards the Orange's net, holding a 6-11-7 record alongside a 2.72 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
The Nittany Lions boast a 5-1-0 CHA record at home and a major cause is the Pegula Ice Arena crowd. Penn State sits ninth for attendance among Division I teams, welcoming an average attendance of 510 for its 12 home games, the second-most in the CHA. This season, the Nittany Lions hosted the third-largest crowd in program history for the weekend finale against No. 6 Mercyhurst (1,257).
STANDING TALL
In just its third varsity season, Penn State has made immense strides, posting its best campaign. Following their second-straight CHA series sweep (against RIT), both of which came in Pegula Ice Arena, the Nittany Lions took sole possession of second place in the CHA standings, just two points behind Mercyhurst with two games on the Lakers. Penn State has increased its conference win total eight-fold from each of the previous two seasons with four weeks of CHA play to go. The 13 victories this year is also more than 2012-13 and 2013-14 combined.
CONFERENCE'S BEST
Following Penn State's second-straight CHA series sweep against RIT, two Nittany Lions captured weekly conference honors. On Jan. 19, Bella Sutton (Shoreview, Minn.) earned Player of the Week accolades and Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove, Calif.) captured her sixth CHA award. Sutton scored two goals, both of which were game-winners, added an assist and blocked a team-high nine shots to help the Nittany Lions sweep RIT. Whitlinger went 2-0 against RIT, allowing just two goals, posting a 1.00 goals against average and a .964 save percentage. Whitlinger improved her record to 8-5-0 and became the program's goaltender wins record holder with the victory in the weekend finale.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
In their third varsity season, the Nittany Lions are producing the best campaign in the program's young history. The 2014-15 team, which is unbeaten in at least one game nearly every weekend this season, has set Penn State's win (13) and shorthanded goal (3) records. The Nittany Lions have also captured a program-best 13 CHA weekly or monthly honors. Individually, Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove, Calif.) has the most career (10) and single season wins (9). Shannon Yoxheimer (Jackson, Mich.) now holds the season and career records for game-winning goals (4) and goals by a junior (9), while Laura Bowman (Minnetonka, Minn.) is the school's record holders for goals (12) by a sophomore. Bowman also holds the class points record (25).
POWER UP
The Nittany Lions' special teams have been just that this season: special. Their power play is the 11th-best in the nation, resulting in a goal 19 percent of the time (17-for-88). Hannah Bramm's (Tampa, Fla.) four goals leads the team and is tied for 17th nationally and third in the CHA. Bella Sutton (Shoreview, Minn.) has also been an integral part of Penn State's player advantage, recording the third-most power play points in the conference with eight (three goals, five assists).
THE PUCK STOPS HERE
A major reason for the Nittany Lions' success this season has been the play of its goaltenders, Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove, Calif.) and Hannah Ehresmann (Minnetonka, Minn.). The Blue and White is the only team in the nation with two goaltenders among top-15 in save percentage; Whitlinger is seventh and Ehresmann is 14th. Penn State is also one of only three schools with two netminders among the top-20 in goals against average (North Dakota, Ohio State). Whitlinger is 14th at 2.08 and Ehresmann has the 18th-best goals against average nationally with a 2.29 mark.
WHAT AN HONOR
For their historic start to the season, the Nittany Lions have been rewarded generously with CHA awards. Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove, Calif.) is the CHA's December Goaltender of the Month and a five-time Goaltender of the Week honoree, a conference-best. Hannah Ehresmann (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Caitlin Reilly (Chanhassen, Minn.) have both captured Rookie of the Week accolades, with Reilly earning a pair of Rookie of the Week honors. Laura Bowman (Minnetonka, Minn.), the December CHA Player of the Month, is a two-time Player of the Week pick, while Bella Sutton (Shoreview, Minn.) captured her first Player of the Week honor following the home RIT series.
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State venture to Lindenwood next weekend for a CHA series against the Lions. The teams play on Fri., Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. (ET) and Sat., Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. (ET).