Feb. 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Representing more than Penn State, the women's hockey team utilized the power of pink towards a 4-2 win over CHA foe Syracuse in the annual Skate for a Cure game on Saturday.
"This is a great day for Penn State and being a part of something bigger than just a hockey program or an athletic department," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "To make this day so special for Pennsylvania Pink Zone, and just the atmosphere in the building to raise money for such an important cause, to me I'm just so proud of just the effort today."
The goal of Saturday's Pennsylvania Pink Zone game is to bring to light the battle that women and men face when diagnosed with breast cancer. To aid in the fight, the Blue and White's game-worn pink sweaters can be bid on via Penn State Nittany Lions Official Online Charity Auctions.
"It's definitely very humbling for everyone to play for something bigger than ourselves and realize how lucky we are even to be playing," said junior forward Hannah Bramm, who tallied a goal and an assist on the weekend. "I think that that gave us some extra motivation."
Friday night, Penn State (14-10-4, 8-4-2 CHA) tied the Orange (6-12-9, 4-4-5 CHA), 2-2. The Nittany Lions utilized the boost of energy from the 1,042 fans in attendance to win, 4-2, in Saturday's Skate for a Cure game.
The difference in the first game was freshman forward Caitlin Reilly. She made a number of plays with her strong skating, stick handling and hockey IQ.
"She makes so much happen when she moves her feet and makes good decisions," said Brandwene. "And when you put those two combinations together with Caitlin Reilly, anything is possible."
Possible indeed as Reilly scored the opening goal of the weekend after splitting between two Syracuse defensemen and firing a left-handed shot from the low slot into the back of the net.
"I got a nice pass from my line mate, Sarah Nielsen," said Reilly. "I knew I was confident in beating the D, so I just used my foot speed. Then I did a little move, got through the second D, and I'd say I got a little lucky there at the end, but good to score."
Other top performers on Friday include Emily Laurenzi, who scored her second goal in as many games and Celine Whitlinger, who stopped 40 pucks to preserve the draw.
"I love the communication we're getting from all of our lines," said Brandwene. "The chemistry, the little decisions, the puck movement...really proud of the effort from all three of our lines today."
The roaring fans within Pegula Ice Arena were too overpowering for Syracuse on Saturday as the Nittany Lions fed off the crowd en route to victory. The Nittany Lions scored a program-best three goals in a span of just 84 seconds.
Hannah Hoenshell, Laura Bowman and Hannah Bramm each scored second period goals to help the Blue and White jump out to a 3-0 lead. With 1:08 remaining in regulation, Laurenzi netted her third goal in as many games to seal the triumph, 4-2.
Hoenshell and Bramm each scored on the power play, an area of focus in practice in the week leading up to the series.
"We've been focusing more on practice this week of just getting it to the top and making sure we have some players in front of the net, make sure it's crowded, and make sure we get some shots through," said Bramm. "It's just we've been working on it a lot and had a good day of it."
The Nittany Lions also managed to hold Syracuse to just one power play goal on ten attempts this past weekend, continuing their success down a player.
"We have great habits," said Brandwene about the penalty kill. "Great communication. Great intensity and just a will to succeed out there on the penalty kill. Really proud of all of them."
The Nittany Lions begin a four-game road stretch next weekend when they travel to Lindenwood for a two-game CHA series on Friday and Saturday.