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Jan. 10, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's hockey team (4-10-1, 0-2-0-0 Big Ten) will return home for the first time in 41 days when it hosts top-ranked Minnesota (13-2-3, 3-0-1-0 Big Ten) in the Nittany Lions' first Big Ten home series beginning Sunday, Jan. 12. Opening faceoff for both nights of the Sunday-Monday series is set at 7 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
A live video and audio stream will be available for Sunday night's game at GoPSUsports.com. Monday night's game will air live on BTN and BTN2Go. On the radio, Sunday night's game will be available on WRSC 103.1 FM, while Monday's game will air on the Penn State Sports Network.
LIMITED BAG POLICY
Penn State has implemented a limited bag policy at all home athletic events this season. One clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for medical needs, child care needs and general items as needed. Items that can fit in a pocket should remain in patrons' pockets (i.e. keys, cell phone, wallet, glasses, camera, sunscreen, lip balm, make-up). General items of this nature, including those that don't fit in patrons' pocket, can also be placed in a clear plastic one-gallon plastic bag.
WEAR WHITE ON MONDAY
All fans are asked to wear white during the backend of Penn State's Big Ten home-opening series against the Golden Gophers. Puck drop is set at 7 p.m. for the series finale.
PEGULA PALOOZA SET FOR MONDAY
The Penn State Lion Ambassadors are hosting Pegula Palooza at Pegula Ice Arena Monday, Jan. 13 from 3-6 p.m. Head men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky will speak and there will be free food, live entertainment, a tour of the Nittany Lions' facility, ice skating and a pregame pep rally.
For more information, visit LionAmbassadors.com.
HEADING HOME TO HOCKEY VALLEY
Penn State will play the Golden Gophers in its first Big Ten home series Jan. 12-13. The Nittany Lions, who opened conference play at Wisconsin Dec. 6-7, are 0-2-0-0 (W-L-T-SOW) in league competition.
BACK TO THE BIG TEN
Penn State will open 2014 with its first of nine Big Ten series. The Nittany Lions will play 19 regular-season games, including 18 league contests, during the second half of the season. Penn State's lone non-conference game is a rematch against Boston College Jan. 25.
ANOTHER RANKED OPPONENT
This weekend's series will mark the eighth and ninth games against a ranked opponent in a 10-game span. The stretch will include three games (No. 7/6 Boston College, two games vs. No. 1 Minnesota) against top-10 foes. The Nittany Lions' lone win against a ranked team came in a 3-2 OT win at No. 16 Wisconsin during the 2012-13 season (Feb. 25, 2013).
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers, who boast the conference's best scoring offense (3.94) and scoring defense (2.11), will enter the weekend as the nation's top-ranked team for the 11th straight week. Nine Gophers have recorded at least 10 points, with Sam Warning pacing the squad with 21 points.
Minnesota enters Sunday on a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2) and has not lost since a 6-2 setback against Minnesota Duluth Nov. 24. The Gophers have outscored their foes, 20-12, during the span.
GARDINER FACES OLD TEAM
Redshirt junior forward Max Gardiner was a member of the Golden Gophers during the 2010-11 season. The Deephaven, Minn., native recorded three points (1g, 2a) in 17 games during his freshman campaign.
Only four Gophers - Nate Condon, Justin Holl, Jake Parenteau, Tom Serratore - remain from the 2010-11 Minnesota squad.
PLAYING THEM TIGHT
The Nittany Lions have played in seven one-goal games (3-4-0) in 2013-14, tying for seventh among NCAA Division I teams.Clarkson and Michigan Tech lead the nation with 12 one-goal games.
SCHEID SURGING
Redshirt sophomore forward Eric Scheid has recorded nine points (5g, 4a) in the past seven games and is tied for seventh in the Big Ten in points during that span. The Blaine, Minn., native has recorded two three-game point-scoring streaks since Nov. 15. Since Nov. 15, Scheid's three power-play goals are tops in the Big Ten, while his five power-play points place him a tie for first.
LOOKING AHEAD
Penn State will hit the road for a Big Ten series against Michigan State Jan. 17-18. Opening faceoff for both games is at 6:30 p.m., with Friday's game airing on BTN and Saturday's contest broadcasting on NBCSN.