UNIVERSITY PARK – When Guy Gadowsky sat at the podium last week to address the media for the first time this season, he couldn't remember a time when Penn State returned so much production from the previous season.
"I think there have been times where we lost less numbers, but for some reason – and I think it's because we did have a pretty successful year last year, and everyone seems to look at offense, but we're so much more than that – I think this is the team where we have the most points coming back," Gadowsky said.
In fact, Penn State returns eight of its top 10 scorers from last year's team, which was the highest scoring team in the nation (4.54 goals per game). Even better news for the Nittany Lions is that the team returns its top line, which consisted of its top three scorers from last year — Alex Limoges, Evan Barratt and Liam Folkes.
That trio combined for 135 points over 39 games last season, more than any line in college hockey. So how can a trio that productive take another step forward in 2019-20 when it will be very difficult to replicate that number of points?
All three of them, as well as Gadowsky, highlighted two areas for improvement: better consistency and generating more wins.
"I'm a big believer in not thinking about the past and looking forward," Folkes said. "I think the next step for us is just being more consistent period by period. I think we all know what we're capable of doing. We proved that last year and we're just excited to get ready for this season."
Despite racking up more points than any other line in college hockey last season, the group feels it can be even more consistent this year. The trio rarely even discusses what they accomplished last season.
"It's just kind of, how can we get better?" Limoges said. "Where are situations on the ice where we can run plays to get us out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone if there's an opening. Just ways to exploit the other team. It's more about the opportunities that we can't have and that we've missed so far."
Limoges was the biggest star of the group last year, setting Penn State single-season records with 50 points and 23 goals. However, even he felt like there were times last year that he and his line could have performed better.
"There was a time last year where we were playing well, but the puck wasn't going in," Limoges said. "I think this year it's being able to produce every game. We might be playing against teams' top units, but it doesn't matter who we play. We should be able to score and help our team win every night. Individually I think I can do more and be more consistent, and I think we can do that as a line. It's going to be a challenge, but we're definitely up for it. We're excited and we're ready to go."
Barratt has never shared a line with the same two players for as long as he has with Limoges and Folkes, even dating back to his two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program.The chemistry they've developed playing together last season can only help.
"This line can only get better, so we're definitely really excited with where we're at," Barratt said. "I feel like all of us as individual players have matured and gotten better in our own way and that makes us better as a group. We're not really worried about stats. We just want to win."
Despite being the most dominant line in the country, last season was the first time since the 2015-16 season that Penn State did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
All of that returning production is why Penn State was ranked No. 1 in the preseason Big Ten poll, but the next goal for Limoges, Barratt and Folkes is to remain atop the conference at the end of the season.
"They want to have a very productive season, but have this team win at a higher level," Gadowsky said. "I'm sure they would take a few more wins to make sure they've made the NCAA tournament instead of a few more points."