UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-The Penn State women's ice hockey program continues to improve its record this season, just as the team also continues to be a great partner in this community.
The Nittany Lions hosted Lindenwood in CHA conference play for Monday's Skate for the Cure game, and the 777 Penn State fans in attendance were not disappointed, as Monday's game resulted in a 2-1 win for the Nittany Lions. Both of Penn State's goals came from sophomore forward Natalie Heising, helping her team complete the series sweep that included a 3-0 win over Lindenwood on Sunday.
The Skate for the Cure game is an annual tradition for this program, hosted together with the Pennsylvania Pink Zone. The game helps bring awareness to the continuous fight against breast cancer.
Pegula Ice Arena filled with pink for the afternoon, as fans wore the color symbolic of breast cancer awareness. The players also donned pink on their socks, and the coaches wore pink ribbon pins to honor survivors of breast cancer.
But the Skate for the Cure game was not just about wearing pink. Fans were treated to airbrush tattoos, bubble and air hockey, floor hockey, a photo booth, and a caricature artist as the atmosphere around the game looked to bring fun and awareness for the great cause.
In addition to all the fun and games on Monday, the fans brought the true college hockey environment. The Roar Zone was loud and proud, creating an atmosphere that helped the Nittany Lions achieve victory.
As Monday's game concluded, the Nittany Lions hosted their second free postgame skate of the season. Fans got to skate with their favorite players, and smiles filled the ice rink.
Two of the players bringing joy to their fans as they skated with them were junior defenseman Kate Rydland and forward classmate Katie McMillan. Both players understand the importance of the Skate for the Cure game.
"Well it's definitely awesome coming out of the weekend with two wins against a conference opponent, but bigger picture, it shows us that we're a part of something bigger than ourselves," McMillan said.
Playing for something bigger than themselves is a theme very prevalent in the minds of the players.
"It's really special. It's a game where everybody comes out. It's obviously a cause that is well known throughout the country. And it's special to all of us. A lot of us have had people affected by breast cancer. And so we love this game every year, because we're skating for the cure. The game is bigger than us," Rydland added. "This is a really great game and to see all the support is awesome."
In addition to the players feeling strongly about community support, head coach Jeff Kampersal stressed how important it is that his program is involved in the community. Following the first game of the series, Kampersal spoke on the significance of games like the Skate for the Cure game.
"Our group is a very compassionate group. So not only do they work hard on the ice and in school, but they do get out in the community doing different things, but I know the Cure game is big for them, coupled with the THON event later on, I know they have a lot of pride in that," Kampersal said.
They're coming to play regardless, but I think the Cure game adds a little extra motivation for them."
Kampersal was right. The motivation and importance of the Skate for the Cure game seemed to help the program win, improving the team's record to 10-9-4 on the year. Achieving a record over .500 was something Kampersal had emphasized for a while leading up to Monday's game.
The Nittany Lions next will travel to Syracuse, New York to take on the Orange next weekend, followed by a trip to Princeton, New Jersey for a one game matchup against the Tigers on January 29th.
The next home game for the Nittany Lions will be on Friday, February 8 for game one of their weekend series against Robert Morris University.
