| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nov. 27, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's hockey team (3-5-1) and No. 15 Union (6-3-2) will face off during Thanksgiving weekend for the second straight season when they play a two-game series at Pegula Ice Arena Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Both games are set for a 7 p.m. faceoff and will be streamed live through the Big Ten Digital Network.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH GAMES
Tickets are available for both matchups and can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-NITTANY Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If tickets are still available when gates open, they can be purchased at Pegula Ice Arena Gate A. Additional tickets can also be purchased using TicketExchange on GoPSUsports.com.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Both contests will be available via live web stream through the Big Ten Digital Network (video.BTN.com). On the radio, Saturday night's game will be available on WRSC 103.1 FM, while Sunday's game will air on the Penn State Sports Network.
TEDDY BEAR TOSS SET FOR SATURDAY
Fans are encouraged to bring new or slightly-used teddy bears to Saturday's matchup for the first annual Teddy Bears Toss at Pegula Ice Arena. The Teddy Bear Toss will take place during the second intermission, and all bears will be donated to the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
INSIDE PEGULA ICE ARENA
Freshman David Goodwin, who is tied with classmate Zach Saar for most assists (2), leads Penn State with five points and three goals at home. Between the pipes, sophomore Matthew Skoff has posted a 2-1-1 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
Junior Taylor Holstrom has dominated the faceoff circle, pacing the team with a .667 winning percentage. Goodwin (.643), David Glen (.568), Casey Bailey (.538) and Dylan Richard (.524) all boast faceoff winning percentages above .500.
PENN STATE AMONG BIG TEN LEADERS
Sophomore defenseman Luke Juha leads all Big Ten blueliners with three power-play goals and is tied for third among defensemen in power-play points (4). The Mississauga, Ont., native is also tied for fourth among the league's defensemen with six points (3g, 3a).
Freshman David Goodwin's six points (3g, 3a) place him in a tie for eighth among Big Ten rookies, while Ricky DeRosa is tied for 11th with four points (2g, 2a).
Penn State boasts the conference's top penalty kill (.849) and is one of two schools (Wisconsin) with two shorthanded goals.
LAST YEAR VS. THE DUTCHMEN
Penn State dropped both its games at Union, falling by 2-0 and 4-1 scores, in 2012-13. Forward David Glen scored the lone Nittany Lion goal of the weekend, while Matthew Skoff set then-career highs with 40 and 42 saves.
SCOUTING UNION
The Dutchmen, who are 5-1-1 in their last seven games and boast the nation's 11th-ranked power play (.230), will enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak.
Three players - Daniel Carr (1.27), Shayne Gostisbehere (1.09) and Mat Bodie (1.00) - average at least one point per game. Gostisbehere is tied for first among defensemen in points per game, while Carr and Michael Pontarelli are tied for third in the NCAA with four power-play goals.
PENN STATE VS. RANKED FOES
The Nittany Lions, who are 1-5-0 all-time and 0-2-0 in 2013-14 against ranked foes, will play their third straight game against a ranked opponent Saturday night. The Nittany Lions' lone win against a ranked team came in a 3-2 OT win at No. 16 Wisconsin (Feb. 25, 2012).
LOOKING AHEAD
Penn State will conclude its season-high, five-game homestand against the Dutchmen Sunday. Following the series, the Nittany Lions will open Big Ten play at No. 13/12 Wisconsin Dec. 6-7.