UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State hockey season doesn’t start until Sunday, Oct. 2, but hockey is alive and well in Happy Valley. On Sept. 26, the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild squared off for their first preseason game of the 2016-17 season. They also brought the first taste of NHL action to the State College area at the Pegula Ice Arena.
After trading some chances, the Sabres took a 1-0 lead to the first-period dressing room on a half-slapper from the slot by Zemgus Girgensons, who beat the Wild’s goaltender, Alex Stalock. The goal brought a load cheer from the Pegula crowd, who was heavily in favor of the Sabres. The loudest cheer, however, was reserved for the live shot of Pegula Ice Arena donors and Buffalo Sabres’ owners Terry and Kim Pegula. A “thank you” chant for the Pegulas also erupted from members of the Penn State students’ group, The Roar Zone, earlier in the period.
Early in the second period, Minnesota Wild forward Kurtis Gabriel tied the game on a wrist shot from the slot. Both teams traded chances throughout the remainder of the second and third periods, but the score remained 1-1 toward the end of regulation. As the teams played 4-on-4 hockey, Evander Kane took a penalty for high sticking with 32.2 seconds left in the contest. It was all the Minnesota Wild needed, as Jason Zucker scored on a one-timer from Matt Dumba with a little under five seconds left in regulation.
Terry and Kim Pegula’s team may not have won the game, but they won the evening. Their legend continues to grow as they’ve brought college hockey and now professional hockey to State College. Fans wanting more will now have to play the waiting game as they hope rumors pan out for a future NHL outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
