Pegula, State College bars plan watch parties for Penn State’s Frozen Four game
For the first time in program history, Penn State men’s hockey is heading to the Frozen Four and excitement is building for Nittany Lions fans, even if they can’t be at the historic event.
After defeating Maine and UConn in the Allentown Regional, the Nittany Lions are in St. Louis, Missouri, with two games separating them from taking home the national championship.
Pegula Ice Arena will host a Frozen Four watch party on Thursday night, where the Roar Zone student section and other fans are expected to gather and cheer on the Nittany Lions. The Roar Zone has been a huge factor for the Penn State hockey program all season and played a big part in motivating the Nittany Lions on the ice.
It traveled well in Allentown, taking over the PPL Center, but St. Louis is much farther and not as many are expected to make the trip.
The watch party serves as a way to bring the prideful fans together even if the game is played nearly 800 miles away.
“Wherever the Roar Zone is, whether it’s in Allentown or Pegula Ice Arena, the Roar Zone will get you,” hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky said. “If you just go to be around the Roar Zone around these great students, you’re going to get hooked on them and hooked on the sport.”
Even with the pressure mounting, Gadowsky said Monday during his press conference that the team isn’t doing anything differently — “it’s business as usual.”
Penn State plays Boston University on Thursday night in the national semifinal. The Terriers will be the third Hockey East opponent it’s faced in as many games.
“I think there’s similarities between UConn and Maine,” Gadowsky said. “But Boston is viewed as a little bit more of a different animal ... we’re not just going to assume that they’re going to play the same.”
Penn State’s leadership group brought this team to this moment.
The Nittany Lions started Big Ten play with nine losses but rallied as the regular season concluded, winning nine and adding three shootout victories of the 15 remaining conference games.
“We always try to push being positive and that’s something that’s a lot easier said than done,” senior Dylan Lugris said. “When it got to the dog days of January, we kind of didn’t really have a choice.”
“Perseverance” and “resilience” were two words Gadowsky used to describe Penn State.
“This team has been used to some pretty extreme challenges and when you fight hard and get through and come out on the other side, it gives you confidence,” he said.
What to know about watch party, other events
Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m. EST and the Penn State vs. Boston University game will air on ESPN2. Here’s what’s happening in the State College community for the Frozen Four.
Pegula Watch Party
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free to Pegula Ice Arena’s Frozen Four watch party.
Fans can take pictures with the Regional Championship trophy and paint the ice until the conclusion of the first intermission.
Downtown State College
Brothers Bar and Grill: booth giveaway and its normal Thursday happy hour specials from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Champs Downtown: Frozen Four Watch Party includes a live game DJ, 50 cent wings from 4-11 p.m. and drink specials.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Buy one get one free boneless wings with the game played on multiple screens.
Doggie’s Pub: Regular Thursday specials
The NCAA Hockey National Championship will be Saturday, April 12. It’s the winner of the Penn State-Boston University matchup vs. the winner of Denver-Western Michigan.
