Feb. 26, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After earning its highest tournament placement in program history, fourth-seeded Penn State is prepared to face off in the first round of this year's CHA conference tournament against sixth-seeded Lindenwood.
The best-of-three series will be held at Pegula Ice Arena this upcoming weekend (Feb. 27 - March 1) with Friday's game starting at 7 p.m. and Saturday's at 2 p.m. If necessary, a win-or-go-home third game will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
"Tournament time is exciting," said head coach Josh Brandwene. "You work hard all year. It's a great time of year. We're looking forward to Friday evening."
The Lindenwood Lady Lions are no strangers to the Nittany Lions. In fact, in four games played between the teams this season, each team has won two games apiece.
Back on Nov. 21-22, the Nittany Lions first skated against Lindenwood at Pegula Ice Arena. The Blue and White won the first game, 3-0, on Friday night, but subsequently dropped the second game as part of a Saturday matinee, 2-1.
Celine Whitlinger's shutout on Friday, Laura Bowman's goal and assist, Shannon Yoxheimer's two goals, and Caitlin Reilly's two apples highlighted the weekend split.
The two teams would not meet again until Feb. 6-7, when the Nittany Lions traveled to Wentzville, Mo. to take on the Lady Lions. A similar result would ensue as Penn State won on Friday, 3-2, but fell to Lindenwood on Saturday, 4-2.
Bowman's three goals and assist as well as Amy Petersen's trio of assists highlighted the Blue and White's road efforts against Lindenwood.
"This is a group that is resilient, battle tested, and just chomping at the bit to get at it this weekend, and there is nothing better than that," said Brandwene.
The players to watch for Lindenwood are senior forward Jordyn Constance, who is tied for fourth in the CHA in scoring with ten goals and ten assists, and junior forward Shara Jasper, who has six goals and 12 apples this season. Junior goalie Nicole Hensley has posted an eye-opening .923 save percentage and a 2.36 goals against average.
"Our job is to focus on us, our game plan, and our job is to go out and execute our game plan, and the results will take care of themselves," said Brandwene.
Penn State will rely heavily on junior goaltender Celine Whitlinger, who leads the CHA with a .937 save percentage and two shutouts.
Offensively, the Nittany Lions will count on Laura Bowman (11 goals, ten assists), Amy Petersen (four goals, ten assists), Shannon Yoxheimer (six goals, five assists), and freshman Caitlin Reilly (five goals, five assists).
Defensively, look for Jordin Pardoski, Bella Sutton, Kelly Seward, and Remi Martin to make immediate on-ice impacts.
"One shift at a time," said Brandwene. "One practice at a time. One period at a time. That's the mindset we're in. We want to get off to a great start, and it's about preparation during the week at practice, it's about energy on Friday, and a great opportunity to play at home."
The winner of the CHA tournament will earn an automatic bid to compete in the NCAA tournament, a feat that Brandwene says speaks volumes to the strength of the CHA conference.
"I think it says a lot about the league, and I think that we're excited to get after it on Friday and looking forward to playing at home," said Brandwene.