2021-22 Penn State Nittany Lions

[Reddington]

Riddle this: I am a big Heising and Zanon fan, however, their line receives triple the time of any other line yet only produced one goal each even strength in the latest 2 game series and zero pp goals. Wasn't the last four games the perfect opportunity to see if the team could do better with a different combo. I have a hard time believing that you could have done any worse splitting those two up. Or was he complaining about the other three lines that produced one goal in two games. I have a hard time blaming the d or goalie when the team only scored two goals in each game and one was an empty netter.

About the only thing I would not consider changing on offense is the Weiss Dobson and Prommersberger line as Weiss is finally producing like everyone thought she was capable of.

That being said, I don't think any changes need to be made against Mercyhurst, but if PSU squeaks by, I think any and all options need to be effectuated in A one and done situation. Kamperssl use to be Mr. switcheroo. I'm not sure what happened to that mindset.

PSU is capable of winning it all, but so are Syracuse and Mercyhurst.

[slapshot willy]

If Lindenwood beats RIT, Syracuse should be a little concerned. The Lions are coming off a senior day win against Mercy and could be very motivated due to emotions running high and the desire to be the team that pulls off an upset or 2.

It will definitely be an interesting weekend for sure.

[ZedLeppelin]

Riddle this: I am a big Heising and Zanon fan, however, their line receives triple the time of any other line yet only produced one goal each even strength in the latest 2 game series and zero pp goals. Wasn't the last four games the perfect opportunity to see if the team could do better with a different combo. I have a hard time believing that you could have done any worse splitting those two up. Or was he complaining about the other three lines that produced one goal in two games. I have a hard time blaming the d or goalie when the team only scored two goals in each game and one was an empty netter.

You're going to get your wish next season when Heising isn't here anymore. Who do you put with Kiara Zanon next year? I like keeping Alyssa Machado with Zanon, and probably Olivia Wallin with those two. Then you have Rachel Weiss and Julie Gough as probably the best of who's left to anchor two more lines. We'll have to see who Penn State gets in next year's freshman class, but Kampersal is going to have some shuffling to do next season.

I think Kamperal is complaining in general about the lack of goals from everyone, with as many shots on goal that Penn State generates. What stands out to me is the absence of players in front of the net, disrupting the goalie and being in a position to pounce on rebounds. Penn State loves to start plays in the corners, and keep it down low, but that's only half the job if nobody is going to be at the net when the shots fly. Shots on goal don't matter if a goalie sees them all the way into her glove.

About the only thing I would not consider changing on offense is the Weiss Dobson and Prommersberger line as Weiss is finally producing like everyone thought she was capable of.

Rachel Weiss has had a couple games now with highlight goals. She's got such a quick and deceptive shot that's really fun to see. I hope her confidence is sky high now - she's a real workhorse.

If Lindenwood beats RIT, Syracuse should be a little concerned. The Lions are coming off a senior day win against Mercy and could be very motivated due to emotions running high and the desire to be the team that pulls off an upset or 2.

It will definitely be an interesting weekend for sure.

I think the CHA is finally getting some parity. For as long as I can remember, the CHA tournament (and season) has been all about Mercyhurst and Robert Morris. Recently, Syracuse has snuck in there, Robert Morris is gone, and Penn State has worked its way up (with work still to be done, of course). This year's CHA tournament feels like the closest one to call in a long time, with at least three teams who each have an equally legitimate shot to win the tournament, with Lindenwood capable of playing the spoiler, too. It's going to be a fun tournament to watch!

[Reddington]

You are stating the obvious about Heising not being there next year, I had high hopes for this year and the hopium can continue for at least one game. PSU started off 8th in the Country. You have quality wins against UMD, BU and Cornell on the road and terrible losses against St Cloud after being in the lead and Cornell at home. It's been just a choppy season. Heising will be tough to replace.

Can you imagine how tight things would have been if RMU is in the mix? Lindenwood is dangerous, but RIT has become significantly better over the course of the season. I really was impressed by Athena V and Coe. I think RIT and Lindenwood is a much watch game. I'm interested in seeing how much of the way RIT played PSU was the product of Celeste knowing the tendencies of PSU or the team has just improved. Celeste does not appear to be over her head after all.

[ZedLeppelin]

I think RIT and Lindenwood is a must watch game. I'm interested in seeing how much of the way RIT played PSU was the product of Celeste knowing the tendencies of PSU or the team has just improved. Celeste does not appear to be over her head after all.

I think Celeste Brown will be in a much better position going forward, with RIT now being able to offer scholarships. How do you even recruit hockey players without scholarships, and hope to make any progress with the program? That's a tough sell.

[mar7967]

I think Celeste Brown will be in a much better position going forward, with RIT now being able to offer scholarships. How do you even recruit hockey players without scholarships, and hope to make any progress with the program? That's a tough sell.

RIT fan here - not making excuses of course, but I will add that the sell is likely even tougher with RIT's tuition cost (52k before room/board) and with the academic programs that the hockey players typically enroll in, you are getting a similar education to a program at any other cheaper school with similar post-graduation prospects. In the DIII days, it was easier as the playing field was even with other DIII schools, and with the success the program had in DIII, it likely made it easier to recruit into the early years of DI. The new arena may have helped too. But over the years, I imagine the recruiting has gotten much harder. Coaching changes, increasing tuition, being one of 2 DI programs who cannot offer scholarships, and obviously the win/loss record haven't helped I imagine. I am excited to see where the program will go with the availability of scholarship money now.

sorry for hijacking your thread Good luck in the post season to PSU!

[Reddington]

No problem on hijacking the thread any and all speculation is good as many of the threads are struggling. And I think folks enjoy the discourse. Those are great points you have made on RIT. RIT may have found their Selander in Coe.

[mar7967]

No problem on hijacking the thread any and all speculation is good as many of the threads are struggling. And I think folks enjoy the discourse. Those are great points you have made on RIT. RIT may have found their Selander in Coe.

Agreed. Coe has been outstanding recently, but is facing way too many shots. From the writeup on her goalie of the week award from CHA's site: The Brooklin, Ont., native finished the 2021-22 campaign with six 40-plus save games and two 80+ save series. The freshman goaltender owns five of the top 10 series saves marks in the CHA this year.

[Reddington]

Bothun has won a lot of the awards, but there definitely is some stiff competition right here in the CHA with Nystrom, DesMet and Coe. One would have to wonder how Bothun's numbers would be if she was facing the number of shots that these other goalies are facing. However, Bothun's numbers over the second half of the season have been stellar. A Desmet fan chirped after the last Syracuse series that Desmet was the better goalie. It's a bit surprising on Desmet as PSU swept RMU last season, but then maybe it isn't as RMU won it all.

A lot of parity results within the CHA this year highlighted by Mercyhurst beating Syracuse 9-0 and then Syracuse coming back and winning 6-3 in the next one. You can't explain this stuff other than it is typical CHA.

This years CHA tournament is wide open.

[ARM]

It's a bit surprising on Desmet as PSU swept RMU last season, but then maybe it isn't as RMU won it all.

Didn't Raygan Kirk start most of those games for RMU versus PSU last season? Confidence is so key for goalies, and it is hard to have that confidence if you're not getting the chance to play.

[LBartowski]

Why can’t the CHA have a tournament like the WCHA or Hockey East, for a 3 game series? Then you will get the best team to represent the CHA? Regional semi-finals start on March 11? What goes on next weekend?

[LBartowski]

Or only 4 get in, for a 3 game series, then championship for a 3 game series. If you are not in top 4 of CHA, you probably shouldn’t be involved anyway.

[slapshot willy]

The HarborCenter in Buffalo was a beautiful facility to have the CHA tourney at over the years. Neutral site, absolutely fantastic rink, players can stay at hotel that’s attached to rink, etc. I wonder why the change this year (and last year) ? I’m thinking $$ possibly?

[Reddington]

Didn't Raygan Kirk start most of those games for RMU versus PSU last season? Confidence is so key for goalies, and it is hard to have that confidence if you're not getting the chance to play.

Yes, it turns out that is correct on Kirk. I totally believe it on goalies on getting a chance.

I think the Harbor Center had a five year deal and it just never took off or Pegula got rid of the Beauts and or a combination of those two.

You mean you are not excited to go play in that metal shed on the South part of the SU campus?

[slapshot willy]

Reddington:
“You mean you are not excited to go play in that metal shed on the South part of the SU campus?”

It’s the worst and coldest rink in the CHA. I would think with the $ they pull in with Basketball etc they would give/build this successful women’s program a better facility. It surely would help with recruiting in the future.