University Park, Pa.- Even though January can be one of the coldest months of the year, Penn State women's hockey is heating up, winners of six of its last eight games. After a home sweep of Lindenwood, the team will take on Mercyhurst as it winds down the first week of classes for the new semester.
As head coach Jeff Kampersal gets his team ready for the back half of conference play, he is excited about the momentum they carry into the next couple of difficult weekends.
"We're happy that we've had a pretty good stretch since Thanksgiving," Kampersal said. "We've played a decent brand of hockey. This weekend was interesting where we dominated at different times and then we got a little tight. Probably mentally and the third periods of both games where we kind of hung on but in a good way.
"We won those games, whereas in the past we were tying those games. Our players showed a lot of grit and heart, but we're trying to make sure we just have consistent effort in both games."
Kampersal's team has been able to ride the hot goaltending of Chantal Burke (Saskatoon, Sask.) to success of late. After compiling her fourth game with 30 or more saves this past weekend, she was named CHA Goaltender of the Week for the third time this year.
"She's done a really good job with the opportunity," Kampersal said. "She stepped up and has played well, has kept us in the games that she's been in there and then has continued to win. I think she's doing her job and she's working hard."
Burke cited her reasons for success by contextualizing the bigger picture into something easier to manage.
"I think it's about kind of just letting it all go for the time being, with each game, I go into the game with the same preparation," Burke said. "I get in my mindset where I'm focused and I take it in five minute increments."
"It has to do more with what I've been working on in practice and with my depth in the crease and just seeing the puck better and tracking it," she added. "As well as making sure I know where everyone is on the ice."
The numbers back up Burke's confidence. She picked up two wins last weekend to improve a 9-5-3 record. With a .937 save percentage and 43 total saves, she is tied for third in the nation with five shutouts, a Penn State single-season record.
With a 1.57 goals against average and a strong save percentage, she is leading the conference in both categories and ranks among the top goaltenders in the country.
"We're focusing on the little things first and we have for each game, game goals like time on ice," Burke said. "We try to keep shifts to under 45 seconds and that's one of the goals we have focused on. Communication is a big thing for us too, we talk about it in practice a lot."
Kampersal has noticed a shift as well, as his team's self-esteem has picked up from earlier in the season.
"The last stretch has given us confidence to play against the next few opponents, but we really like this year how focused we've been on improving our own brand of hockey rather than focusing on the opponent," Kampersal said.
"This weekend will be tough against Mercyhurst. They have a really good coach, and they play a solid brand of gritty hockey," he added. "We'll have to adjust to the speed and the physicality, but I think we will, and I think we'll be fine and have a good battle with them."
While the team has been back in action the last couple of weekends, Burke noted how important it was to have a break in December to enable a fresher performance in the new year.
"Over break, it was more of a mental break for me just not thinking about hockey, coming back with a fresh mindset," Burke said. "I did off-ice physical activity to stay in shape, but it was more taking a break from everything and resetting my headspace."
When it comes to this weekend's series against Mercyhurst, Burke knows they present a tough challenge as the team gets set for an important stretch in conference play.
"We know they're a strong core team and they've always been top of the league," Burke said. "We won't take them lightly and I think they're going to be both a tough and strong squad to face."
The Nittany Lions will face Mercyhurst Friday at 3:05 p.m. with the Saturday matchup at 2:05 p.m., both in Erie.
