Jan. 7, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Now that winter break is over, the Nittany Lions (12-3-3, 2-0-0-0) look ahead to their matchup against Big Ten foe Minnesota (8-9-0, 3-1-0-0) and the coming second half of the season, with a slate of numerous matchups against ranked conference rivals.
Most recently, Penn State defeated Clarkson as part of the Three Rivers Classic in Pittsburgh. Following the tournament, the Nittany Lions had a brief break before returning to Hockey Valley ready to work and prepare for the second half of their season.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky was pleased with his team's performance at Three Rivers, but notes significant improvements are needed if the team wishes to continue their first half success.
"…We have to get back to not giving up odd man rushes and not giving up or taking penalties," said Gadowsky.
The Nittany Lions, little by little, have improved every season in every aspect of the game. At the same point in the 2014-15 season, the Nittany Lions had only notched nine victories, this season they've surpassed that total, racking up 12 wins.
Another record set already this campaign is Penn State has achieved its highest ranking in program history in the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) rankings. The Nittany Lions currently occupy the No. 14 position, and with points up for grabs this weekend look to keep improving their ranking.
Gadowsky has noted a few key aspects of this year's team that have helped in the first half of the season.
"I think with their synergy I think that from day one the freshmen that came in really fit in really well, I think they're really high quality guys and I think our upperclassmen really appreciate them and I think they gelled really quickly. I think that's one reason," said Gadowsky. "Then another big reason for the success we've had the first half was we've had excellent goaltending, so we had a good feel. We have a good locker room and we've had excellent goaltending and when those two things come together you tend to have success."
Turning towards Minnesota this weekend, Gadowsky and company are excited to be back on home ice taking on five-time NCAA champions, Minnesota. In the 320 days that have passed since the Nittany Lions defeated the Golden Gophers in an overtime upset last February, Penn State has graduated players, seen Casey Bailey off to the NHL, and developed a phenomenal freshman class made up of eight talented individuals.
The game last February is now a memory for the players on the team, but now it's time to make new memories. It's all about the next game on the calendar. Minnesota, without some of its big names on the roster from last season, is looking to find its identity within Big Ten hockey during the second half of the season.
"They always have, because of their success, turnover, and they're young," said Gadowsky of Minnesota's team this year. "Usually if you look at their track record their second halves are always fantastic, so we're expecting nothing other than a great hockey team."
Penn State hosts Minnesota Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena. Friday's game will be aired on the Big Ten Network.