Jan. 29, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" After a thrilling first period of hockey, the No. 15 Penn State men's hockey team (16-6-3, 6-3-0 Big Ten) was unable to complete a third period come back and fell to No. 6 Michigan (15-3-4, 6-1-2 Big Ten) on Thursday night, 7-4. Up next for the Nittany Lions is a rematch in Madison Square Garden against the Wolverines on Saturday.
The first period of Thursday's game got off to an eager start, as both teams tirelessly fought for possession of the puck. Michigan found the back of the net first, but Penn State was not going to give up easily.
Thanks to a goal from freshman defenseman Vince Pedrie, the Nittany Lions ended the first period tied with the Wolverines, 2-2.
Although their third period comeback fell short, head coach Guy Gadowsky observed several favorable things about Thursday night's contest.
"What a tremendous crowd, it was great to see the white out," said head coach Guy Gadowsky.
Thursday night's game was easily the most enthusiastic atmosphere the Nittany Lions have played in all season, with cheers for the home team and taunts of the Wolverines tirelessly filling the arena throughout the game.
Gadowsky also noted his team's ability to skate with Michigan's unrelenting offense, a goal he had stated earlier in the week.
Up next for the Nittany Lions will be a much-anticipated rematch between Penn State and Michigan in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The team is eager to return to the ice and get back in the win column.
Gadowsky noted that although the team has a day in between, they won't necessarily be using the time to make significant changes to their strategy of play.
"This isn't the first time that we've lost a game and we have to come back, so no we're not going to change anything up, we're going to prepare like we can," said Gadowsky.
When asked about the significance of playing in Madison Square Garden and participating in a historic doubleheader on one of the biggest stages in sports, Gadowsky was eager to praise the opportunity his team has at hand.
"We're very excited, I think it's a great thing with the Big Ten, I mean we're really excited about not only playing Michigan hockey but our basketball program, it's going to be exciting," said Gadowsky.
The Nittany Lions will be part of a double-header series on Saturday in Madison Square Garden. The Big Ten Super Saturday College Hoops & Hockey Doubleheader will feature Penn State taking on Michigan in basketball at noon, followed by Penn State hockey's rematch of Michigan at 7 p.m. Both games will be on the Big Ten Network.