Penn State men’s hockey needs to be ‘mentally tougher,’ coach Guy Gadowsky says ahead of Army game
A Thursday night game for the Penn State men’s hockey team offers a nonconference matchup as part of a special event, a family subplot, a chance to rebound after recent losses and maybe a starting point for some consistency.
It’s a lot.
Penn State meets Army at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with the Division I game capping a doubleheader that includes a meeting between the Army and Navy club hockey teams earlier in the night. It’s all part of the buildup to the Army-Navy football game Saturday.
In addition, the Penn State-Army hockey game features Gadowsky-Gadowsky II as Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky works the bench as his team goes into action against an Army team who’s leading scorer is sophomore defenseman Mac Gadowsky, the coach’s son.
The teams met last season for a single game at Pegula Ice Arena. Penn State won, 7-6, a comeback victory after Army jumped out to a 3-1 lead and even led 6-2 before a furious Penn State rally.
This season, both teams are struggling, with Penn State seeking some necessary consistency.
Penn State has gone 6-1 in nonconference games this season but it’s winless against Big Ten Conference opponents. After Thursday the Nittany Lions have 22 days off before they return to action — and at that point only conference games remain.
“There’s a confidence that we can be very good, but can is just talking about nothing. You have to do it,” Gadowsky said. “It’s a very, very cool event, but for us it’s the last chance before break to get our game together. So, there’s a lot going on for us.”
Penn State will again play the game without injured starting goalie Arsenii Sergeev. While third-string goalie John Seifarth played well in two victories against Colgate before Thanksgiving, Penn State gave up eight goals in two losses to Ohio State last weekend.
Sophomore forward Aiden Fink leads Penn State, and ranks among national leaders, with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists). Four other players have at least five goals. The team can score.
It can play defense as well — at times. Consistency remains an issue, and even though Army has a sub-.500 record it probably sees an opportunity in the matchup, which means Penn State must be focused.
“We have to be a lot mentally tougher. It’s true, and I’m not proud of that,” Gadowsky said. “We have to be mentally tougher to start and we have to be mentally tougher to finish it when we fight back.”
Penn State (6-9) vs. Army (5-10)
Series: 8 p.m. Thursday
Audio/Radio: GoPSUsports.com, 103.7 FM
Notable: Penn State leads the all-time series, 4-1. ... Penn State has a 1-6 record when opponents score the first goal this season. … Army enters the game on a four-game losing streak, having been outscored 15-5 in those games. … Army’s leading sorcerer, sophomore defenseman Mac Gadowsky, has 10 points (four goals, six assists).