UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's hockey team improved to 5-2 in its last seven games with a key 2-1 conference victory over Lindenwood Friday evening at Pegula Ice Arena.
Penn State (8-9-4, 3-3-1 CHA) secured its seventh point of the CHA schedule with the win. Lindenwood (2-13-3) remains winless in the conference at 0-7.
Sophomore defenders Izzy Hemigner and Rene Gangarosa were the goal scorers for Penn State. Chantal Burke stopped 10 shots to grab her eighth win of the season (8-5-3).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State dominated the first period with a 16-1 shots on goal advantage. In addition, Penn State took 36 total shots while holding Lindenwood to just three attempts.
Despite the huge advantage and the extended offensive zone time, Penn State couldn't find the opening goal until breaking through with 1:37 to play in the period. After Morgan Rolph ripped a shot that was blocked, the puck came right to Izzy Heminger who ripped a wrist shot through traffic for the first score of the game. Rachel Weiss also picked up an assist on the play.
The second period was filled with penalties from both teams with each team being called for three infractions. Penn State's penalty kill was perfect in the period stopping all three Lindenwood advantages without allowing a shot on goal.
Penn State also capitalized on one of its three chances to double its lead with 11:53 remaining in the period. The power play was only two seconds young when Rene Gangarosa's shot from the point found the age to double Penn State's lead. Heminger and Shea Nelson had assists on the play.
Lindenwood found an answer to cut into the lead on a nice redirect goal by Bailey Coyne at the 5:29 mark in the third period. Despite just three shots on goal, Lindenwood generate far more scoring chances in the period, including its best chance with 1:51 remaining.
The Lions went to a power play and pulled goaltender Annika Asplundh for a lengthy 6-on-4 power play. Penn State once again stood tall to the task however and did not allow a clean shot on goal as Amy Dobson and Mallory Uihlein both recorded blocked shots in the waning minutes to help secure the win.
GAME NOTES
- Izzy Heminger and Rene Gangarosa have accounted for six of Penn State's eight goals from blue liners this season. Both hit double digit points in the game for the season.
- Penn State improved to 4-1 this season when a defenseman scores a goal. They also improved 8-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the game and 7-0-2 when leading after two periods.
- Heminger and Abby Welch both led the team with six shots on goal. Kate Rydland and Uihlein led Penn State with three blocked shots each.
- Shea Nelson continued her hot scoring pace with another assist for her eighth point (3G, 5A) in the last eight games. She also has a four-game point streak.
- Penn State outshot Lindenwood 34-11 for the game and did not allow any shots on goal on Lindenwood's four power plays. Penn State finished 1-6 on the power play with nine shots on target.
- Penn State leads the all-time series 17-11-4 and remains unbeaten in their last seven games against the Lions (6-0-1).
- PSU and Lindenwood finish the weekend series Saturday at 3 p.m.
- Saturday's contest marks Penn State's annual Skate for the Cure game to raise awareness for the battle against Breast Cancer in association with the PA Pink Zone. Fans who wear pink on Saturday will receive free admission to the game. Additional promotions include a post-game skate with the team, a caricature artist, a photo booth, hockey mini games, and crafts all included with admission.