Penn State forward David Goodwin was angry. Minutes removed from a 4-2 loss to St Lawrence he sat at the podium and just glared across the room shaking his head, thinking, clearly replaying all of the moments from the last two nights over and over. Penn State skated away from a series against the No. 16 ranked team in the land 0-1-1 and very well could have done so at 2-0.
The fact that it was Goodwin who was so unhappy was a fitting bit of symbolism. Maybe the happiest, most outgoing and entertaining player on Penn State’s roster full of characters. If Goodwin was angry, then you know it was serious.
And it’s that subtle change in expectations that is not so subtly present at the Pegula Ice Arena. The program, more importantly, the players, are expecting results. They’re good enough and they know it. A national title may not be a few months around the bend, but the Nittany Lions know they’re a tournament potential squad. So every loss, especially losses that could have been victories, those sting. It’s no longer a novelty that Penn State is playing Division I hockey, that rang loud and clear just a week ago.
“We saw the shift of these guys, in [Goodwin] very obviously and in other guys as well although we weren’t necessarily looking for it,” Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky said earlier this week. “Their expectations have elevated and they were really quite embarrassed and wanted last weekend’s game back.”
The good news, Penn State gets a chance to turn things around. To be certain a win and the 5-2-1 record that follows is hardly a train wreck, far from it. But nothing gets the taste of defeat out of your mouth than the ecstasy of victory.
This week’s opponent, the Niagara Purple Eagles. A team entering the single game series on Friday with a 0-5-1 record. Niagara is allowing 4.5 goals per game, while scoring 1.7 on a .066 shot percentage. The Eagles average 25.2 shots on net, while allowing 38.0 a number Penn State could surpass in two periods alone.
So while nothing is easy at the Division I level, Penn State looks well positioned to pick up not only a win on the road but a few positive vibes along the way. Matthew Skoff will get the start in goal, a victory would give Penn State it’s second best start in its fourth year of Division I play.
And that ought to make Goodwin very happy.
