Penn State men’s hockey to face Robert Morris at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena

Nineteen different players have scored goals for the sixth-ranked Penn State hockey team this season, and that productive variety comes without, apparently, a hint of internal competition.

It’s all about getting the puck in the net — not who puts it there.

“Nobody cares who’s scoring. There’s zero competition,” said Sam Sternschein, who leads the team with 10 goals. “We want everyone producing, but there’s no competition about who that is.”

From his spot atop the scoresheet, that’s an easy perspective. It just happens to be the outlook shared by his teammates as well.

“We just don’t really think that way,” said Evan Barratt, one of four players with seven goals. “As long as someone’s scoring, that’s all that matters. You know when a certain line is doing well, or someone seems hot, but it’s not really something we worry about in terms of a competition among ourselves.”

Make no mistake, though, team members are always competing. The team’s determination has translated to success both offensively and defensively through the first 21 games of the season.

Penn State’s 3.90 goals per game rank third nationally, behind North Dakota (4.26) and Boston College (4.0). That’s almost expected from the often offensive-minded team.

Their defense has been better than usual this season, though. Penn State ranks 15th nationally, allowing 2.29 goals per game. At this time last season, that rank was in the mid-50s.

Coach Guy Gadowsky also points to the team’s penalty-kill efforts, where Penn State ranks 13th nationally (.859).

They get the chance to add to those numbers and bolster their success Saturday with a game against Robert Morris at PPG Paints Arena. It’s Penn State’s first game in an NHL arena this season, and the first for Robert Morris as well. The Colonials usually play home games at a smaller arena on Neville Island just west of downtown Pittsburgh.

It’s an interesting matchup. Penn State secured a 2-1 victory in the first meeting and its nation’s-best power play (24 of 82, .293) always represents an important weapon. Still, the Robert Morris penalty kill unit is statistically better than Penn State’s, ranking 11th nationally (.862).

Players appreciate the opportunity, too. While internal competition might not drive them, they enjoy playing in NHL arenas.

“It’s fun when you’re playing in front of that many seats and you get to see the whole facility. It’s motivation for me because you want to be at that level someday,” Sternschein said. “I love playing at those big rinks.”

No. 6 Penn State (15-6) at Robert Morris (7-8-1)

Single Game: 7 p.m. Saturday

Radio/TV: Game coverage on 103.1 FM, GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Penn State leads the series, 7-4-0 and has won five games in a row, including a 2-1 decision Oct. 25 at Pegula Ice Arena. … In terms of injuries, Penn State will again be without Aarne Talvitie, while Alex Limoges might play. … Robert Morris goaltender Justin Kapelmaster has a .941 save percentage with a 2.22 goals-against average.