Nov. 1, 2015
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" The Penn State men's hockey team faced a talented non-conference foe when No. 16 St. Lawrence Saints rolled into Hockey Valley this past week. Penn State (4-2-1) fought hard, ending the series with a tie and a loss to St. Lawrence (5-2-1).
The Nittany Lions came out strong on Thursday night in Pegula Ice Arena and skated with confidence to keep pace with the Saints. Penn State's defense was up to the challenge in a hard-fought battle.
"Well it sure felt like a hockey game, I'll tell you that," said head coach Guy Gadowsky. "Even right from the first period I thought we had a very good period and were on the power play a few times and so we had a few shots and more offensive opportunities, but they were coming hard. We knew we were in hockey game right away and that's fun."
Although the night ended in a 2-2 tie, with the Saints winning the exhibition shootout, one Nittany Lion left his mark on the more than 60 minutes of play.
Freshman defenseman Vince Pedrie scored his first collegiate goal Thursday night, tying the game and forcing overtime.
"It was great," said Pedrie. "Finally got the monkey off my back. After shooting the puck that much it was nice to see one finally go in."
Pedrie, who earlier in the week had stated he believed he was brought to Penn State because he likes to shoot the puck, thought his goal on Thursday was validation for his perceived role on the team.
The Nittany Lions also looked toward their goaltenders to lead the way this weekend, and lead they did.
Matt Skoff received the nod to start in net on Thursday and had 24 saves, while also only allowing one even-strength goal.
On Friday night, Eamon McAdam took over starting in net. Gadowsky thought his best performing players of the series were his goaltenders, due to their ability to be consistent when the defense faltered.
"I thought Eamon McAdam was fantastic," said Gadowsky. "I don't think the shots of the game or the score really was a good indication of the grade-A opportunities, I don't know how many great plays they had, I thought [McAdam] was excellent."
McAdam made 35 saves Friday night and even kept away several breakaway shot attempts to help keep the Nittany Lions in the game.
In the end, the Saints outskated the Nittany Lions and won Friday night, 4-2. Although losses are disappointing, the Nittany Lions are proud that they could go toe-to-toe with their first ranked opponent of the season and look to use this series as experience for tougher opponents down the road.
This series was also the first time in program history the Nittany Lions have faced the Saints, however, Gadowsky would easily welcome back St. Lawrence to Hockey Valley if future scheduling permits.
"Absolutely," said Gadowsky. "As I said I really respect the culture they have that I've seen while we were in the ECAC, I do respect their culture very much and they're a great team to play."