Six Storylines for No. 6 in the Nation
Penn State checked in at No.6 in the newest edition of USCHO poll.
With that, let’s take at six storylines surrounding the sixth-ranked team in the nation.
1) Heart and Soul(iere): FIRST season with Liam Souliere as full-time starter
Even though he took the reins of the goaltending crease towards the end of last season, Liam Souliere spent most of his sophomore campaign splitting time with Oskar Autio. When Autio transferred to Vermont this offseason, the starting job was Souliere’s to lose.
After just one game, Souliere was scratched with an injury that would leave him “day-to-day for quite some time” according to Guy Gadowsky. Despite that injury, the junior netminder has started 10-of-12 games for Penn State while putting himself in the conversation with the best goaltenders in the nation.
The Ontario native’s 1.81 goals against average is first in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation and his .932 save percentage is second in the conference and 10th nationally. Both of those marks are improvements from a year ago when he posted a 2.88 goals against average and .905 save percentage.
Senior forward Connor MacEachern said that Souliere’s efforts thus far, which also includes his first career shutouts in back-to-back games against Wisconsin and Michigan, have been well-deserved.
“Obviously his game speaks for himself. His performances have been incredible,” MacEachern said. “He’s been a big part of our success so far this year.”
2) Toppling the Top: TWO victories over the No. 1 team in the country
Penn State became the first team in NCAA history to upset the top-ranked team in consecutive series winning both series openers against Michigan and Minnesota.
The Nittany Lions dropped both finales and settled with series splits, but made a three-goal comeback in the final nine minutes of the third period in Game 2 versus Michigan to secure a point before losing in overtime.
Though it is still early in the season, that lone point currently separates Penn State and Minnesota in the Big Ten standing at second and third respectively.
Winning might not be the most important aspect to come out of those last two series as Gadowsky mentioned how the results are just part of a bigger equation.
“What we’ve learned as a coaching staff is that the work that the guys have put in in culture is very beneficial. And at least the way our program is, probably a prerequisite,” Gadowsky said. “And it’s nice to see that transfer over to on-ice results.”
The early indication is that the revamped culture is paying its dividends, yet over half of the season lies ahead with more matchups with top-tier programs including Michigan and Minnesota.
3) Rule of Threes: Penn State has allowed more than THREE goals twice
It is too early in the season to say defense wins championships, but up to this point the Nittany Lions defense has been winning games.
The blue and white have not seen opponents light the lamp often this season as it has allowed three or more goals on just four occasions, including allowing four or more twice. The Nittany Lions are 2-2 when allowing three or more goals and 1-1 when allowing four or more.
Allowing goals in moderation has been a recipe that has Penn State ranked ninth in the country with a scoring defense that yields 2.08 goals per game.
Even with Souliere as an improved last line of defense, there were question marks surrounding the defensive unit that lost two key pieces in Adam Pilewicz and Clayton Phillips. A trio of defenseman have stepped into the unit led by captain Paul DeNaples.
That trio of Carter Schade, Jarod Crespo and Dylan Gratton has been a key factor for a team that realizes it needs to do its best in front of Souliere for him to be his best.
“It’s been incredible and we’re super lucky to have him, he's made some saves that are unspeakable and it's been pretty amazing to watch,” MacEachern said. “But at the same time, we know that we have to be really good in front of him in order for him to have success too.”
4) Four Instore: Penn State owns the FOURTH best offense in the nation
Even though that defense is doing all it can to win games, it is impossible to win without scoring. The Penn State offensive attack ranks fourth in the nation, coincidently with a 4.0 goals per game scoring clip.
That offensive performance is led by Ashton Calder and Kevin Wall, who have six goals apiece, with Connor MacEachern trailing right behind them with five goals.
18 different players donning the blue and white have found the back of the net, showing off the depth of a team that has scored 48 goals.
The depth of the team has more in-store as Chase McLane made his season debut against Minnesota on Saturday. McLane appeared in 30 games last season, recording 13 points on three goals and 10 assists.
“We’re pretty deep all around,” McLane said. “I’m still fighting for a lineup spot right now. Like I obviously came here to win, like I like to see us win”
In McLane’s absence, transfer Ture Linden and Xander Lamppa have entered the lineup as centers. With both already performing at high levels, McLane’s newfound availability could elevate the play even further.
5) Survive for Five: FIVE(ish) Months Until the Big Ten Tournament
Surviving for five is underselling the expectations and abilities for Penn State. Even though Gadowsky stresses taking things one game at a time, five months from now the Big Ten Tournament will be approaching the championship game with the NCAA Tournament looming.
Anything can happen in the next five months or so, but also anything can happen in the tournament too. Last year, Penn State went on the road as the fifth seed and defeated Ohio State in a three-game series before falling on a late goal to Minnesota in the semifinals.
For now, Gadowsky and his coaching staff want to see the team continue to play the Penn State way.
“The biggest factor is that we are really mentally prepared to play our game and it's not easy,” Gadowsky said. “I think we're learning that the price of being prepared is worth the hurt of not, because I think we're starting to figure out we're not good enough not to be prepared to play our best game and win in this league.”
The league is full of talent as six of its seven teams are ranked within the top-20 including three of them being in the top-10.
6) Picked Sixth: Penn State’s rank of SIXTH is the highest since they were fifth in 2018
While not everything has been perfect for the Nittany Lions, including the power play that has cashed in on just 4-of-34 opportunities this season, is up there with the best in program history.
Not only was their 9-0-0 start the best in franchise history, it was the second-longest winning streak in program history sitting behind an 11-game winning streak that led to the Nittany Lions being ranked No. 1 during the 2016-17 campaign.
A solid weekend against No. 17 Michigan State could have the Nittany Lions seeing the top-5 for the first time since being ranked No. 5 in November of 2018.
“We’re very excited,” MacEachern said. “We think we got something special for sure.”
Justin Ciavolella is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jtc5751@psu.edu.
