Penn State Hockey News
Penn State Icers Hockey Update 2/6
Record: 19-8-1
ESCHL Record: 9-4-1 (3rd place with 19 points)
Ranked #11 in latest ACHA Division I rankings
LAST WEEK: vs. #6 Rhode Island
Friday (2/4) W
Saturday (2/5) L 5-4 (Shootout)
THIS WEEK: vs. Robert Morris
Friday (2/11) at 9pm
Saturday (2/12) at 3:30pm
In this stretch of the season, every game matters for the Penn State Icers, and they played like it this past weekend against #6 Rhode Island. The Icers finished the weekend with a split, but come away with three points after taking the Rams to overtime, losing 5-4 in a shootout. That loss gave Rhode Island the ESCHL regular season championship, making this season the first ever that Penn State did not claim at least a share of the title according to PennStateHockey.com.
However, there is still a lot to play for. The ESCHL playoffs begin a week from this Friday, and the Icers sit just a point back of Delaware for 2nd place heading into the final weekend of league play. They also hold the #11 spot in the latest ACHA Division I rankings, which right would put them inside the 16-team field that makes the ACHA Tournament.
This weekend, the Robert Morris Colonials come to the Penn State Ice Pavilion for the final series of ESCHL play for both teams. The Icers swept Robert Morris a month ago in Pittsburgh, and a sweep this weekend and at least one loss by Delaware (who have a home-and-home against West Chester) could have big implications on the ESCHL playoff field.
Penn State Icers Update 1/30
Record: 18-8-0, 8-4 ESCHL
Ranked #11 in ACHA Division I
LAST WEEK:
@ #4 Delaware
Friday (1/28) L 4-2
Saturday (1/29) W 3-2
THIS WEEK:
vs. #6 Rhode Island
Friday (2/4) at 9pm
Saturday (2/5) at 2pm
All games played at the Penn State Ice Pavilion
Can't make it to the game? Watch Penn State Hockey's free webcast here
In a crucial series with major implications on the ESCHL standings, Penn State came away with a split this weekend against #4 Delaware to remain in third place. Friday night, the Icers trailed 3-2 late in the 3rd period before giving up the clinching goal with just over three minutes left in the game to lose by a 4-2 score. They rebounded on Saturday with a 3-2 victory, as freshman goaltender Mathew Madrazo stopped 43 shots in a game that the Icers had to win to keep their chances at post-season hockey alive.
The next two series will be critical in Penn State's quest to make their 20th straight ACHA Tournament, the only team to do so since it's inception according to PennStateHockey.com. Fortunately, the Icers will have the benefit of home ice the next two weekends, starting when they host #6 Rhode Island this coming weekend.
The 21-3-1 Rams hold the top spot in the ESCHL standings with 23 points and swept the Icers at home back in mid-November. This weekend's series will also be Alumni Weekend at Penn State.
Penn State Icers Update 1/23
RECORD: 16-7, 7-3 ESCHL
Ranked #11 in ACHA Division I
LAST WEEKEND:
Friday (1/21) @ West Chester (W 7-1)
Saturday (1/22) vs. West Chester (W 4-2)
THIS WEEKEND:
Friday (1/28) @ Delaware (7pm)
Saturday (1/29) @ Delaware (5pm)
Both games can be seen via webcast here
The Penn State Icers extended their win streak to four this weekend, taking both games of a home-and-home series with the West Chester University Golden Rams.
On Friday night in West Chester, Penn State cruised to a 7-1 victory behind a strong showing from freshman goaltender Mathew Madrazo, who stopped 29 of 30 shots. The Icers led 2-1 shortly after the start of the 2nd period, but rattled off 5 unanswered goals. Freshman forward Mike McDonagh finished the game with a hat trick.
Penn State finished off the sweep on Saturday at the Penn State Ice Pavilion with a 4-2 victory. Junior forward Chris Cerutti scored two goals and Madrazo stopped 29 of 31 shots. Check out highlights from Saturday's game here.
The Icers remain in third place in the ESCHL, but can overtake Delaware for second place by sweeping the Blue Hens this weekend in Newark. Delaware enters the series with an impressive 21-2-2 record (8-2 in ESCHL play), but one of their two losses came in a 4-0 shutout by Penn State in early December.
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