With a perfect mix of clutch scoring, defensive structure and reliable goaltending, the Nittany Lions find themselves in their second Big Ten championship game in three seasons after upsetting top seeded Ohio State in Columbus on Sunday.
Penn State's offense has been the backbone of success all year long, but Sunday saw perhaps the best defensive effort all season as countless zone entries were denied and Peyton Jones (Langhorne, Pa.) held the Buckeyes to just one goal on 32 shots.
"From what we see, everything just gets ratcheted up a little bit in the playoffs," head coach Guy Gadowsky said.
"But his biggest strength is his ability to stay calm and focused. I think because of the atmosphere of playoff hockey, that could play an even bigger role in how he's able to be successful."
Defensively, the Nittany Lions stifled the Buckeyes all afternoon, clogging passing lanes and preventing breakouts from their own defensive zone. Ohio State continued to turn the puck over as Penn State's aggressive forecheck created headaches.
"We've worked a lot on defense in practice, so I think the repetition helps," Jones said. "Guys know what they're doing and are watching video. Overall, we've been working at it and getting better and I'm just happy the work is paying off."
"Every guy bought into playing our game defensively," forward Ludvig Larsson (Malmo, Sweden) said. "Not only defensemen, but our forwards did a really good job in the defensive zone not letting passes to the point or pucks go through and (Ohio State) didn't have a lot of shots. We know we have to pull in the same direction and prioritize our defense."
Momentum always carries added importance in crucial games, with Sunday proving no different, shifting early on as Penn State faced an important penalty kill.
Following a successful kill, the Nittany Lions emerged with a spring in their step and found the back of the net minutes later as Liam Folkes (Scarborough, Ont.) continued his torrid scoring pace to put Penn State on top.
"We had momentum at the start, then it definitely switched back after we took the early penalty," Larsson said. "We felt really good with a three-goal lead, and then scoring at the end of the power play felt like a dagger.
"I think the save by Jones was definitely a momentum shift because one of their best players is coming in on a breakaway and Peyton made a huge stop."
As Mason Jobst, Ohio State's leading scorer entering the contest, skated in alone on Jones, the junior made a crucial save to keep Penn State's lead at two. Moments later, Brandon Biro (Sherwood Park, Alberta) would pot home a power play goal to give the Nittany Lions the aforementioned three-goal lead.
"When you make a big save, it obviously gives your team momentum," Jones said. "I don't try to make big saves, I just want to go out there and have fun while making every save I can. So if I can give us momentum, that's awesome but I'm just trying to save every puck I can."
Jones also emphasized the importance of not overthinking a big game, and entering a contest with the same mindset regardless of the opponent.
"I think the biggest thing for a goalie is to not think, and just read and react," Jones said. "I don't look at a guy any different on a breakaway regardless of who he is, my job is to stop the puck and in a breakaway situation like that, you let your reactions and ability take over.
"I don't approach a playoff game against Ohio State or a Big Ten championship against Notre Dame much differently than any regular season game. I'm at the school that I love, playing the game I love and I go out there just trying to stop every puck that I see."
