Penn State hockey looks to get back on track, host Minnesota for weekend series

Audio/Story posted February 20, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Bria Donnelly

Penn State Hockey Preview Podcast

Last weekend, Penn State was swept for the first time this season against Michigan State. This week, the No. 25 Nittany Lions (15-9-4, 7-4-1-0 B1G) hope to get back on track against the surging No. 13 Minnesota Gophers (16-9-3, 7-2-3).

After losing 3-0 on Friday, head coach Guy Gadowky said, “We were really disappointed in ourselves on Friday, win or lose. Even if we won that game, we would have been extremely disappointed because we just didn’t play like we have to play. We played with no identity.”

Connor Varley got the first goal of the weekend on Saturday after Penn State was shutout on Friday. Casey Bailey, who leads the Nittany Lions with 20 goals, got the second of two goals in Saturday’s 3-2 loss.

Bailey also leads the team with 34 points and 167 shots. He also sits second in ternms of penalties with 10. Scott Conway leads the Nittany Lions in that category with 14.

On the weekend, Penn State had 12 penalties. That might be something they want to do differently against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have the best power play in the nation at .287. Within the Big Ten, the Gophers are first with 17 PPGF, 50 PPA, and .340 PP.

Penn State goalie P.J. Musico was in net for the Nittany Lions’ loss on Friday. Musico allowed three goals on 31 shots. When asked about Musico, Gadowsky said, “Our loss on Friday had nothing to do with P.J. He let in three goals but he played well, we did not play well. We gave him zero support… and I think he deserves to see how he can do against Minnesota.”

Minnesota is in the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak following a series sweep against a very high scoring Michigan team.

Forward Kyle Rau had a four-goal weekend against the Wolvverines and earned Big Ten Second Star of the Week honors and forward Travis Boyd leads the Big Ten in goals. Defenseman Mike Reilly is among the top defenders in the nation, with 27 assists and 32 points. Goalie Adam Wilcox leads the Big Ten with four shutouts, his fourth coming from last Saturday’s 2-0 win. Wilcox also earned Big Ten Third Star of the Week.

Friday’s game will be the fifth time the two teams have met. Minnesota is 4-0-0 all time against Penn State, with two wins at Pegula Ice Arena. The last time these two teams met was in February/March of last season with Minnesota winning 5-1 and 2-1. They had previously met in January with the Gophers winning 3-2 and 5-2.

Action from Pegula begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. ComRadio’s coverage begins at 6 with the Penn State Hockey Pregame Show.

Bria Donnelly is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact, email bmd5311@psu.edu.