UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Kevin Wall was tripped during Friday night's game against Niagara, he had a feeling he would take a penalty shot.
And after already scoring two goals, he had the opportunity to earn a hat trick.
"I think right from (the moment I tripped), I wanted it bad," Wall said. "(I) went to the bench, Coach Gadowsky was asking me if I wanted to take it, I was like, 'absolutely.'"
Wall tried to stay calm and shake his nerves. He was thinking about getting his first hat trick, and asked some of the guys on the bench what moves he should attempt.
Then, the moment came.
"I think I really just blacked out when I touched the puck and went down the ice," Wall said. "I just tried to stay calm, and go with moves that I felt comfortable with and have done before. It was definitely a really cool moment, I'll remember it forever."
Linemate Ben Copeland says the team was "super happy for him," and that Wall "deserved" the penalty shot.
While Wall, Copeland and Connor McMenamin's line struggled during the first couple games of the season, the trio finally hit their stride this past weekend. Wall scored five goals while Copeland collected assists on three of those scores.
"Obviously we have been playing together since the beginning of the year," Copeland said. "We've really started to have confidence together. We just kind of focus on playing the right way and… however the team needs us. So far it's been really good."
A major component of the group's recent on-ice performance is their friendship off the ice.
"We will always be hanging out with each other, so I think just that chemistry off the ice helps translate onto the ice," Wall said.
Copeland and Wall both agree that the game seems somewhat effortless and more enjoyable to play when the team, and their own line, gets into a groove.
"Our line, I felt like we finally clicked this past weekend and it showed," Wall said. "It's just fun. You know, you're not really getting down on yourself at all, and plays just seem to be a little bit easier, things go more smoothly."
Gadowsky commended Wall's performance this past weekend, saying it was "nice," to see him get rewarded for his smart, team-oriented play.
He also praised Copeland's performance, describing his game during Thursday night's 4-0 win as "excellent."
"It's nice to see that line play really well," Gadowsky said after Thursday night's game. "Not only did Kevin score, but I thought the line… played really well. It is something we've been waiting for from that line, we have high expectations. So, that's one of the things we're very happy to see."
Copeland and Wall hope that the team, and their line, can keep the energy high as they prepare to face-off against North Dakota at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on October 30.
"Obviously a series sweep in college hockey, it's really hard to do," Copeland said. "And, when you're able to do it, you have a lot of confidence as a team and as a unit… everything's good when you get a flow going."
