UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State University and the Pegula Ice Arena will once again host a National Hockey League (NHL) preseason game, with the Buffalo Sabres making their third trip in the past four seasons. In a rematch of the last NHL preseason game in Hockey Valley in 2017, the Pittsburgh Penguins will serve as the visiting team when the puck drops on Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m.
"We appreciate the Buffalo Sabres' willingness to once again host a preseason contest in Pegula Ice Arena," commented Assistant Athletic Director Michael Cross. "Partnering with the organization for the third time in four years is a very special opportunity for Hockey Valley. Terry and Kim Pegula's continued support of this unique tradition at college hockey's best venue promises to be another memorable event."
The Sabres are owned by Terry Pegula, who joined with his wife, Kim, to donate $102 million to Penn State to fund the state-of-the-art Pegula Ice Arena and establish an NCAA Division I men's hockey program in 2010. Penn State launched men's and women's varsity hockey programs in 2012-13 and moved into the spectacular Pegula Ice Arena for the 2013-14 season.
The Sabres are 1-1 in the previous two contests falling to the Minnesota Wild, 2-1, on a power-play tally by Jason Zucker with just 4.6 seconds remaining in the first-ever contest back in 2016 before defeating the two-time reigning Stanley Cup Champion Penguins, 4-3, on Jack Eichel's overtime winner just 25 seconds into the extra period in the 2017 contest.
"Our organization is excited to return to Penn State this fall to face the Penguins," Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill said. "We know the atmosphere at Pegula Ice Arena will be loud and we look forward to putting on a great show for all of the NHL fans in Hockey Valley."
Ticket pricing and sale dates, as well as parking information will be announced at a later date.
Current Penn State men's hockey season ticket holders have just one week remaining to renew their tickets for the 2019-20 season. 2019-20 Penn State men's hockey season ticket holders will receive a right-of-first-refusal on their tickets for this NHL preseason game. More information can be found HERE.
