UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State returns to action for the second half of the season beginning with the Battle in the 'Burgh Jan. 1-2 at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa.
The Nittany Lions will take on St. Cloud State in their first game of the tournament, with a matchup against Boston Univ. or Syracuse to follow.
St. Cloud State (6-11-1) vs. Penn State (10-6-2)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 1
Place: Cranberry Township, Pa. | UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
Time: 7 p.m.
Live Stream: Saturday
Game Notes: Penn State Game Notes
Consolation or Championship Game vs. Boston Univ. (9-6-3) or Syracuse (6-9-4)
Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
Times: Noon or 3 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT: AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Nittany Lions completed the first half of their schedule with back-to-back shutouts on the road at New Hampshire Dec. 9-10, winning both games 3-0.
In game one, Lyndie Lobdell's score in the first period set the tone and two third-period scores iced the game for Josie Bothun's 25th career win, setting a new Penn State record.
In game two, Bothun set another Penn State record with her eighth career shutout. Alyssa Machado scored on the power play in the first period and the Nittany Lions didn't look back to complete the series sweep without allowing a goal.
HOW THEY STACK UP
This will be Penn State's second all-time matchup against St. Cloud State, with the Nittany Lions winning the first matchup 3-2 on Oct. 4, 2014 in a neutral site game at Minnesota's Ridder Arena.
One of Penn State's potential opponents in the second game of the Battle in the 'Burgh could be against conference rival Syracuse. The Nittany Lions and Orange split their lone series of the season at SU Nov. 19-20. The Orange lead the all-time series 29-5-7, but Penn State has closed the game with a 4-4-1 record in the last nine head-to-head bouts.
The second potential opponent in game two for the Nittany Lions would be Boston University. The Terriers hold a 4-2-2 edge in the series, with BU winning a pair of games at Pegula Ice Arena in their last head-to-head matchups Oct. 25-26, 2019.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
26 - Sophomore goaltender Josie Bothun broke the PSU goaltending wins record with her 25th win Dec. 9 at UNH in just her 39th start. She earned her 26th win the following day against the Wildcats.
8 - Bothun earned two shutouts at UNH Dec. 9-10 in a pair of Penn State 3-0 wins. Her second shutout was her eighth in her career, also setting a new Penn State best.
1st - Two Nittany Lions rank first in the CHA stats charts in three different categories: Natalie Heising in goals (12) and points (24) and Kiara Zanon in assists (16).
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