How It Happened:
Penn State dominated the stats but it took all 60 minutes for the Nittany Lions to come away with a 3-1 victory to improve to 2-1-2 on the year. The Nittany Lions would trade shots with Holy Cross in the early going as both goaltenders would make double digit save totals in a scoreless first period. A beautiful Nittany Lion goal was waved off the board in the final minute in the period for goalie interference that was by all accounts a poor call in the nicest of terms.
The Nittany Lions kept coming though and the second period was all Penn State with 18 shots on goal to Holy Cross’ 4. Penn State would finally take the lead and have the goal count with just under 7 minutes to play in the second stanza as Ricky DeRosa knocked in a lose puck in the crease.
Even though the domination was evident, Holy Cross would flick in a shot past Matthew Skoff to tie the game 7:23 into the third period to put an otherwise energized Pegula Ice Arena.
The tension wouldn’t last long though as Eric Schield would take back the lead with 8 minutes to play in the game and Casey Bailey’s goal with just over 4 minutes to play iced it.
Overall it was a solid team effort by a Nittany Lion squad looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-1-1 trip to Alaska after holding a lead in both games late. Now 2-1-2 on the season Penn State has now put together one of its better games of the Pegula Ice Arena era and come away with a victory.
Turning Point:
Casey Bailey’s goal with 16:14 gone in the third period iced the game and gave a Nittany Lion team struggling to hang on to wins a solid victory. The goal would come only 4 minutes after Eric Scheid’s tally tied the game. The score was icing on the cake for Bailey who had a team-high 7 shots on a goal on Friday night.
Player of the Game:
Penn State goaltender Matthew Skoff didn’t have to make many difficult saves, but at least three huge ones in a tie game were the difference in the contest. 29 on the night with 14 coming in a dramatic first period made him a calming force in net. A point blank snag after Penn State’s apparent goal was waved off kept the score tie and a diving hand and grab kept a rolling puck out of the net. Penn State was the better team and Skoff made sure that was reflected in the final score.
Stat of the Game:
After Holy Cross tied the game 7:23 into the third period it only too Penn State five minutes to take the lead again and four minutes after that to create a commanding 3-1 lead 16:14 into the final frame. Holy Cross goaltender Matt Ginn would pick up second star honors despite losing for his 47 save effort.
Holy Cross took 10 penalties during the game but Penn State would only score on one man-advantage despite terrific puck movement.
They Said It:
“I just laughed” – Dylan Richard on his goal getting waved off.
What’s Is Next:
The Nittany Lions will take part in a light practice Saturday morning before facing Holy Cross again on Sunday at noon back at Pegula Ice Arena.
