Penn State picked up the biggest win of the young program’s Division I tenure, knocking off 2010 Frozen Four participant RIT, 3-2, in front of a Homecoming crowd of 10,556 at the Blue Cross Arena on Saturday evening.
Penn State opened the scoring with only 10 seconds remaining in the first period off of a shot by freshmen forward Curtis Loik.
The Tigers tied the game 1:59 into the second period when RIT forward Ben Lynch collected the tally following a wrist shot from the slot.
With 11:54 left in the period, Penn State forward Casey Bailey scored his second of the season off of a rebound, giving Penn State 2-1 lead
Penn State extended its lead to 3-1 with 13:03 left in the third period after Max Gardiner sent a spinning shot to the back of the net for the power-play tally. RIT responded after Jeff Smith shot in his own rebound with only 5:10 remaining in the game.
With the pro-RIT crowd standing and cheering, Penn State was able to thwart off last-second attempts to tie the game, sealing the upset bid. The Tigers spent the final 4:13 on the power-play, making the upset victory in regulation all the more impressive.
PJ Musico started in net for the Nittany Lions recording 40 saves in an effort that marks his second victory in net on the year.
