Penn State scores late to beat LIU, 3-2, in season opener
Fortunate scoring helped the No. 16-ranked Penn State men’s hockey program slip past the LIU Sharks, 3-2, in Saturday night’s season opener.
The Nittany Lions advanced to 1-0 on the season thanks to scoring from Matt DiMarsico, Ryan Kirwan, and Dylan Lugris.
Opportune Timing
Scoring at opportune times was the theme for the Nittany Lions Saturday night. The first goal for the Nittany Lions came from DiMarsico with just three seconds remaining in the first period.
Kirwan’s second-period equalizer came with just 30 seconds remaining in the second period, and Lugris’ go-ahead goal came with just one second remaining on a power-play.
Though all of the scoring came late within a frame, the Nittany Lions were able to score when it mattered.
The New Guys
Three players tallied a point in their Nittany Lion debut, including DiMarsico and his goal to start the scoring in this game.
Tanner Palocsik, the Dartmouth transfer, and freshman Aidan Fink both were credited with assists in their Penn State debut.
The Familiar Faces
Kirwan and Danny Dzhaniyev both totaled two points in the season opener. Kirwan was credited with points for his second-period goal as well as his assist of Lugris’ eventual game-winner.
Dzhaniyev tallied two assists, the first coming from Kirwan’s goal, and the second coming on Lugris’ goal.
Lugris earned a point for his goal, while Chase McLane was credited with the assist on DiMarsico’s goal.
The Penalty Kill
During the Penn State Media Day, head coach Guy Gadowsky said that the team emphasized improving their penalty kill during the offseason.
Though the sample size is small, the three looks that Saturday night’s game gave of the new Penn State penalty kill unit, the Nittany Lion’s looked sharp.
Penn State killed each of LIU’s three chances with the man-advantage.
Important Stats
The Nittany Lions picked up where they left off last season and dominated the shot battle. Penn State totaled 32 shots on goal, while LIU only totaled 18.
The Nittany Lion defensive core helped limit the number of shots put on the net by the Sharks in Saturday’s contest. On the night, it held LIU to just under 20 shots.
Penn State won 27 of the 45 face-offs in the game, helping lead the team to their narrow victory.
What’s next for Penn State
The Nittany Lions will head to Potsdam, New York, to take on the Clarkson Knights. The teams will meet on October 13th, at 7:00 p.m.
