Feb. 7, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- For the first time in program history, the No. 16 Penn State men's hockey team (17-8-3, 7-5-0-0 Big Ten) beat Minnesota (14-13-0, 9-3-0-0 Big Ten) in Mariucci Arena by tallying a 5-3 victory on Saturday night.
Despite a 4-1 loss on Friday night, the Nittany Lions bounced back and fought through every minute of Saturday's game to come out on top.
"It means a lot, I thought it was great, the guys just had a heck of a game and our trainer had a heck of a game," said head coach Guy Gadowsky. "Our equipment manager [Adam Sheehan] was the one who said it was offsides to challenge it, so it was a pretty good win for the program."
During the third period, momentum seemingly shifted in favor of Minnesota as the Gophers scored their fourth goal of the night. However, the goal was ultimately overturned by a coach's challenge due to offside, giving the Nittany Lions the boost they needed to finish the period strong.
In the 5-3 victory, four Nittany Lions had multiple points, with junior forward Zach Saar's goal giving the team the game winner. Saar was able to get the puck off an offensive zone faceoff and find the back of the net with less than four minutes left in the third period.
"Right before I think we had a media time out before faceoff and Chase Berger, he called the shot," said Saar. "He said we're going to run me off the wall, it's a faceoff play we do, and he said he was going to win it and he said that if he won, step off the hash mark and sure enough he did it."
In a night of history making, another milestone was met for the Nittany Lions as freshmen forward Matt Mendelson notched his first collegiate goal. The Pittsburgh native has come dangerously close in several matchups before, but finally found the back of the net on Saturday night against the Gophers.
"I was super happy for him," said Saar. "I was really lucky to be on the ice. "You never forget your first goal and he's been working very hard lately and unfortunately has never really got a good bounce, so getting that first one out of the way is always good."
The Nittany Lions never trailed on Saturday night, and kept the pressure defensively on the Gophers throughout all three periods of play.
In net, junior Eamon McAdam made 34 saves on his way to his 10th win of the season.
For the upperclassmen on the team, Saturday night's win was a long time coming.
"I think for the seniors and juniors who've played in Mariucci for three years now, it's a really tough environment to play in, so I think it was an awesome step for our program to get a win there," said Saar. "It felt really good."
As the Nittany Lions continue on in their season, they will once again be on the road as they faceoff against Michigan State on Feb. 12 and 13. With only one home series left, getting vital wins on the road will be the key to keeping up momentum throughout the coming weeks of play.
"Personally, I think it's just playing as a team," said Saar. "It's a long season so we have to play games as they come but for now it's just sticking to our identity and playing together and for each other."