2021-22 Penn State Nittany Lions

[ZedLeppelin]

Cloudy with a chance of choppiness describes the current season. That was a bad loss, PSU had a chance to go up by 4-2 with the empty net, but gave one up and then ot was over in a blink of an eye. I'm not sure PSU touched the puck. Meanwhile Syracuse after collapsing in their third period held on to win in a so. The silver lining is PSU really does not want to play Syracuse an extra time.

Happy New Year Zed

Happy New Year, Reddington!

"Cloudy with a chance of choppiness"...man, that's about as good a description as there is for Penn State's season so far. The good news is that they do show up for a game #2 , so today should be a better showing than last night. Penn State takes on Boston University at 12:00 (Eastern). Free video stream again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__ov2dC3aE

In the reports about the game, Penn State is referred to as "RV Penn State." Can you explain what the RV stands for? Here's one report I'm looking at: https://scsuhuskies.com/news/2022/1/...enn-state.aspx

I saw that "RV Penn State", too, and have no idea what St. Cloud is talking about.

[PSUfan]

In the reports about the game, Penn State is referred to as "RV Penn State." Can you explain what the RV stands for? Here's one report I'm looking at: https://scsuhuskies.com/news/2022/1/...enn-state.aspx

RV means "received votes" in the most recent poll.

[ZedLeppelin]

Today's lineup (with changes from last night): https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIGqPu7X...g&name=900x900

[ZedLeppelin]

After one, it's Penn State up 1-0 on BU on an early goal from Julie Gough, who is on the top line today with Natalie Heising and Kiara Zanon. BU leads the shots on goal 12-9, and there were no penalties in the period. The pace is a lot quicker today, with both teams looking pretty evenly matched so far.

[ZedLeppelin]

After two, it's Penn State up on BU 2-0 on a powerplay goal (I think) from Natalie Heising. I didn't keep track of penalties, but there were a few in that period. BU leads the shots on goal 19-18, and the pace hasn't slowed, so it's a much better showing from Penn State than it was last night. Julie Gough is back down to her line and Alyssa Machado is back on the top line.

[EMPTYNETTER]

Appreciative of the free YouTube feed for these games, but the announcers are awful. They spend more time talking about holiday meals than they do calling the game. Penn State takes too many stupid penalties, and just like early in season they spend too much time going D to D in their own end until they turn the puck over. It was evident in the last few minutes of the St Cloud game and it is the same today.

[ZedLeppelin]

Penn State takes this one 3-0 on a third period empty-netter from Kiara Zanon.

[ZedLeppelin]

...they spend too much time going D to D in their own end until they turn the puck over. It was evident in the last few minutes of the St Cloud game and it is the same today.

That's probably my biggest gripe this season - the defense wasting way too much time in the defensive zone, playing back and forth, going behind their own net, trying to get fancy with the puck, etc. Guess what? The other team isn't sitting back waiting to see what you'll do with the puck - they're coming for it. If there's no breakout play, at least clear the puck and regroup. The other big gripe I have is seeing players standing still, waiting for a puck to get to them, instead of pinching up and going after it. So many plays have been broken up by that because, again, the other team is coming after the puck.

Overall, it was a good game from Penn State today, and I wish they could consistently put a game like this together. Some dumb penalties, for sure, but a lot better effort than there was last night.

[ZedLeppelin]

The Penn State game recap, with highlight video: https://gopsusports.com/news/2022/1/...ut-bu-3-0.aspx

The Daily Collegian game recap: https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports...d0f7db5b6.html

[Reddington]

PSU is 5-2 against Hockey East teams and have only given up and average of one goal per game against the Hockey East. The Bothun Wall today. Yes, I know four of the wins are against Holy Cross and UNH, but BU is sitting in second place and lost to two CHA teams this weekend. And I'll take a goals per game against average of 1 in that conference.

[ZedLeppelin]

In the 20th season of the CHA, they are honoring 20 top players from the first 20 seasons. Natalie Heising has been chosen as one of the honorees, and here is the CHA writeup for Heising:

https://chawomenshockey.com/news/202...enn-state.aspx

[D2D]

Wow, what an impact she has had on Penn State's recent success. Congratulations to her!

[ZedLeppelin]

Wow, what an impact she has had on Penn State's recent success. Congratulations to her!

Natalie Heising really has played a key role in the success of this program, beyond her individual accomplishments. I've seen a lot of articles about her leadership on and off the ice, and it sounds like she always has a cool head on her shoulders, doesn't get worked up when things are good or bad, knows when to speak up and when not to, equally passionate academically and encouraging others on the academic side, too...all that good stuff.

You have to remember that she came to Penn State on the heels of a really crappy season that saw the previous coach bail on the team in January without warning, after months of dirty laundry being aired, leaving the team and the rest of the season unexpectedly in the hands of interim coach Dean Jackson. Jackson (and the rest of that coaching staff) would be gone at the end of the season as well. That's what she walked into to start her freshman season at Penn State.

Her first season at Penn State was Jeff Kampersal's first season here with a new staff, too, and the program has continued to improve ever since. One player doesn't define a program, but Natalie Heising has played a big role in helping get Penn State on track and moving forward. She deserves any recognition she gets.

[ZedLeppelin]

Josie Bothun has been named the co-National Goaltender of the Month by the HCA:

https://gopsusports.com/news/2022/1/...the-month.aspx

https://chawomenshockey.com/news/2022/1/5/womens-ice-hockey-penn-states-josie-bothun-named-co-national-goaltender-of-the-month.aspx

[ZedLeppelin]

In one of those oddball game schedules, Penn State takes on Cornell at Pegula Ice Arena (finally home again!) on Tuesday, January 11, at 6:00 PM (Eastern). It's a one-and-done, without a whole lot of meaning for either team except to fill a schedule gap.

Cornell is 5-7-1, with no real surprises in their season so far, except maybe the Princeton win in November. They did split with Mercyhurst in October, but that was the first series of the season, so not real meaningful. Other than that, their schedule looks like they've won the games they should've won.

Penn State hits the road again next weekend at RIT, so if nothing else this Cornell game on Tuesday night keeps them game-ready for the weekend. It's just good to see them playing back at home again...seems like forever since the last game at Pegula.

Tuesday's game is video streaming is on BTN+ here:
https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/playerpage/1169515