Penn State men’s hockey looking to check 2 victories off its ‘to-do list’ in weekend tournament
With no classes during Thanksgiving break, the Penn State hockey team has already checked a few things off its to-do list and hopes to add two victories to that list this weekend.
There was more time for individual player meetings, a little bit of rest and even a team picture this week, but as Penn State planned for games against Merrimack College on Friday and 15th-ranked UMass-Lowell on Saturday as part of the Turkey Leg Classic (an in-season tournament cohosted by the two schools that are just 14 miles apart) it was business as usual.
It’s about playing well and winning.
“We’re aware these non-conference games are huge for us in terms of making the NCAA Tournament. Last year, with 22 wins, we were the first team out of the tournament,” coach Guy Gadowsky said. “At this point of the season you have to be happy you have 10 wins, but there’s no room for letting up.”
Penn State has a 25-6-1 record against non-conference opponents during regular season games the past three seasons. It hopes to add to that recent history of dominance against two programs with a bit of hockey tradition.
This weekend’s games are the first of six away from Pegula Ice Arena until the Nittany Lions return home the first weekend of January.
Penn State’s first road trip of the season was to Minnesota where defenseman Clayton Phillips had played last season. He recorded a goal and two assists in the two-game series.
Tonight at Merrimack, defenseman Evan Bell returns to where he started his college career. He played five games for the Warriors during the 2017-18 season before going the USHL and eventually transferring to Penn State. Sophomore forward Max Suave is the only Penn State player from Massachusetts.
Gadowsky’s not expecting some sort of homecoming hot hand, though. As he and his staff guide the team through the season, just finding results matters most.
“Coaching isn’t a science,” he said. “You can’t do this and get this result — sometimes it’s an art. You work on one aspect of the game and you have to be aware of what’s happening in another. That’s what makes coaching challenging, and fun when you get the results.”
So, as the Nittany Lions work through their to-do list, it’s about checking a couple more things off — ideally some results, two more victories.
No. 7 Penn State (10-3) at Merrimack College (2-8-2)
Game: 7 p.m. Friday
Radio/TV: Game coverage on 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com
Notable: This is the teams’ first meeting. … The host Warriors are 0-3-3 vs. ranked teams this season.
No. 7 Penn State at No. 15 UMass-Lowell (7-3-4)
Game: 6 p.m. Saturday
Radio/TV: Game coverage on 103.1 FM, GoPSUsports.com and CBS All-Access
Notable: The River Hawks lead the series, 3-1, but teams have not met since 2014. … UMass-Lowell is 2-1 vs. ranked teams this season.