2020-21 Penn State Nittany Lions

[ZedLeppelin]

Takeaways after this weekend against Syracuse:

Historically, Syracuse has always had Penn State's number, so getting swept wouldn't have been a surprise here. I don't think anyone would have predicted Penn State coming away with a win and an OT tie, especially considering how young this team is. Jeff Kampersal has to be happy with the weekend.

On the plus side after four games, Penn State looks more offensive-minded than ever. Even better, it's not just the Natalie Heising Show, as much as her leadership is counted on. These freshman forwards are all go, all the time, and don't show any "new to D-1" hesitation at all. In the four games played so far, Penn State has put shots on goal of 41, 58, 41, and 46. That's a consistently busy offense, and it's not just coming from the top line, either. A big surprise is freshman goalie Josie Bothun - she has a .977 save percentage, a shutout, and a 3-0-1 record, in a season where she was expected to be warming the bench with three other goalies.

On the down side, Penn State has had 17 penalties in their four games, but that can probably be attributed to the youth of the team. At the same time, their opponents have gotten 25 penalties, so at least Penn State is staying on top of the powerplay chances. I'm in a good mood, so I'm not going to mention powerplay goals - only powerplay chances.

Overall, in this shortened season, this Penn State team looks really good. This freshman class got a lot of preseason hype, but they're living up to it. None of them play timid, and they're not afraid to bang with opponents on the boards. They work hard for the full 60 minutes and don't take a shift off...it's a fun team to watch so far.

The Penn State game recap: https://gopsusports.com/news/2020/12...n-2-2-tie.aspx

Daily Collegian article on the new 3-on-3 OT: https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports...3ef867b23.html

[phillydog]

Takeaways after this weekend against Syracuse:

Historically, Syracuse has always had Penn State's number, so getting swept wouldn't have been a surprise here. I don't think anyone would have predicted Penn State coming away with a win and an OT tie, especially considering how young this team is. Jeff Kampersal has to be happy with the weekend.

On the plus side after four games, Penn State looks more offensive-minded than ever. Even better, it's not just the Natalie Heising Show, as much as her leadership is counted on. These freshman forwards are all go, all the time, and don't show any "new to D-1" hesitation at all. In the four games played so far, Penn State has put shots on goal of 41, 58, 41, and 46. That's a consistently busy offense, and it's not just coming from the top line, either. A big surprise is freshman goalie Josie Bothun - she has a .977 save percentage, a shutout, and a 3-0-1 record, in a season where she was expected to be warming the bench with three other goalies.

On the down side, Penn State has had 17 penalties in their four games, but that can probably be attributed to the youth of the team. At the same time, their opponents have gotten 25 penalties, so at least Penn State is staying on top of the powerplay chances. I'm in a good mood, so I'm not going to mention powerplay goals - only powerplay chances.

Overall, in this shortened season, this Penn State team looks really good. This freshman class got a lot of preseason hype, but they're living up to it. None of them play timid, and they're not afraid to bang with opponents on the boards. They work hard for the full 60 minutes and don't take a shift off...it's a fun team to watch so far.

The Penn State game recap: https://gopsusports.com/news/2020/12...n-2-2-tie.aspx

Daily Collegian article on the new 3-on-3 OT: https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports...3ef867b23.html

Spot on with your assessment. I like what I have seen thus far out of this team. The freshmen are transitioning well to D1 play and are contributing out of the gate. Jeff's recruiting acumen is on display and supported with their current record. It is a solid squad, top to bottom, with contributions from all classes. I was concerned at the start of the season given the void of veteran leadership with the significant roster changes. That does not appear to be an issue. Their aggressive play, relentless pressure, and solid goalkeeping only bodes well for the future. You referenced the penalties. I am sure this has been a topic of discussion. They took 4 in the first period of Sunday's game and none for the balance of play. Nice to see that they cleaned that up and steadied the ship to put themselves in position to comeback and secure the tie. The team has to keep working hard, bring in top notch talent with each recruiting class and win consistently within the CHA as they position themselves to challenge NCAA powerhouses for championships.

[mar7967]

Daily Collegian article on the new 3-on-3 OT: https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports...3ef867b23.html

The article implies the shootout applies to the women's game too (after 5 mins of 3 on 3), yet neither you, PSU's recap, nor SU's recap mention a shootout - what happened? Was there a shootout? Who won it?

[ZedLeppelin]

Freshmen Kiara Zanon and Josie Bothun took home their first CHA Weekly Awards: http://chawomenshockey.com/news/2020...ly-awards.aspx

[Reddington]

Victoria K needs to get the Nuutinen attention.

[ZedLeppelin]

Victoria K needs to get the Nuutinen attention.

You got that right - Victoria Klimek has played five games for Syracuse and has four goals and two assists...on thirteen shots (she had nine goals in all of last season). Not a bad way to start her senior year. Speaking of Nuutinen, specifically her alma mater Mercyhurst, you have to feel for them getting virused out of a chance to play even a single game yet this season. Syracuse already has five games under their belt, Penn State has four, and Mercyhurst hasn't played. I really hope at the end of this sorta-season, the CHA doesn't try to come up with a pretend conference "champion".

[Lindsay]

Yes, hoping the Hurst can get a couple games in soon. Issue last weekend was RIT COVID tests, but I think they are supposed to play this weekend

[Reddington]

How is Mercyhurst Looking? I know you still have Dobson, Thiessen and Vasko. I can't believe Vasko is already a senior! Time flies. Nuutinen and Robillard had great senior years, it is to bad that the NCAA's were cancelled last year as those Seniors had Moxy.

[Lurky McLurkface]

From the Mercyhurst press release
https://www.notreallymercyhurst.edu/fakenews.html

Mercyhurst puts its unbeaten streak on the line this week in a home-and-home series against RIT. "I don't want to jinx it," said Lakers head coach Michael Sisti, "but bringing an undefeated record into the Christmas break would be just like the old days."

Meanwhile, the hapless Tigers are struggling to find their first win of the season under first-year head coach Celeste Brown. "At this point, we'd settle for a tie," said Brown. "You get a point for a tie, right? I'm pretty sure."

Game times are 3 p.m. Thursday in Rochester and 3 p.m. Friday at Mercyhurst Ice Center.

[Reddington]

Love the creativity!!!

[zambonidriver]

A couple of points after watching 4 games. The fabulous freshmen are for real. Once they learn to trust each other and develop team chemistry and not try to do to much individually they will score a lot of goals.
The power play is good example of this as they stay to much on the perimeter. Carrie Byrnes is a clutch player she always seems to be in the right place. Olivia Wallin has the look of a goal scorer, not the best skater but finds dead areas and has a big shot female version of Brett Hull. Ciarocchi provides instant energy and Conolly is very reliable in the middle. Gough Proesberger and Gangarosa along with Dobson fill any role that needs to be filled . On the back end Adolphsson is great example of what all of them should try to become. She has a hockey IQ that is off the charts. She knows when to move the puck and when to keep it. ( I hope she uses all of her eligibility.) Uhlien is an unbelievable skater and Lobdell has the potential to be even better than Adolphsson. Heminger is very fast and plays with her head up. I would put Zanon in the same class as Murphy for Minnesota and Webster of Wisconsin. This weekend should be interesting as both teams will make adjustments. If Penn State can stay out of the box and play 5 on 5 I think they can sweep. One interesting thing I saw during the OT was Penn State had 3 D on the Ice for a shift and they kept it in the o zone. Look at whatever season this is a an exhibition season the Freshman are gaining valuable experience for the future whether they play 10 game or 20 it is a free season as they are not burning any eligibility. Every game they play is a building block to a very strong program

[ZedLeppelin]

A couple of points after watching 4 games. The fabulous freshmen are for real. Once they learn to trust each other and develop team chemistry and not try to do too much individually they will score a lot of goals. The power play is good example of this as they stay too much on the perimeter.

I think chemistry is about all that's lacking with this freshman group. They all work hard for the full 60 minutes and just need the time to get familiar with their linemates. As good as they are at individual effort, there have been many times where a pass wasn't made that could've turned a good individual effort into an even better play. Lots of talent to work with, though!

On the back end Jessica Adolfsson is a great example of what all of them should try to become. She has a hockey IQ that is off the charts. She knows when to move the puck and when to keep it. (I hope she uses all of her eligibility.)

It was really surprising to see Adolfsson carry the puck all the way to the net against Syracuse. She's known for her shot from the blue line and her solid defense, but I guess when nobody else is moving in and she sees room, she has the green light to lead the charge. Pairing her with freshman Lyndie Lobdell is good news for Lyndie Lobdell - she's learning D-1 defense from a good one here. I already like pretty much everything about Lobdell's play - she's going to be a good one, too.

I would put Zanon in the same class as Murphy for Minnesota and Webster of Wisconsin.

Kiara Zanon is showing why she was so hyped coming to Penn State. She's on a line with Natalie Heising this season, but Heising graduates this year and Zanon is going to need somebody on a line with her that can help capitalize on her skill. Putting her and Heising together this season was a no brainer, but I don't think their individual games match up too well. They're both playmakers on their own, so it's not the usual game of just trying to set Heising up for shots. Still, they're a good combo to have on a line this year.

...this is a an exhibition season - the freshmen are gaining valuable experience for the future whether they play 10 games or 20, it is a free season as they are not burning any eligibility. Every game they play is a building block to a very strong program

Which is exactly why I wish the CHA would stop with the weekly/monthly awards. Penn State players got some of the latest weekly and monthly awards, but for what? Being lucky enough to play at all? And a monthly award in a month that saw a grand total of four conference games? I hope the players who win these aren't taking them too seriously. It's like being "ranked" this season. Some teams have been lucky enough to get a decent amount of games in, some have only played a couple, and some teams haven't even played yet. Polls and awards don't make a whole lot of sense.

[Reddington]

Penn State is 3-26-7 all-time against Syracuse.

Under Kampersal: PSU is 2-8-4.

Newest to oldest game scores:

2-2
2-1
1-1
1-3
1-0
1-3
0-1
2-5
1-2
1-1
0-3
2-2
2-3ot
1-2ot

I'll take 1-0-1, but the overall scoring even with the new frosh is not much different...yet.

Heising will get another year. She should have converted that silver platter pass from Gangarosa in ot. Lobdell hit a post. Gough was fed the puck by Heminger down low, but was denied. However, Bothun had a big save on a breakaway in ot. That was a good tie considering the score was 2 zip and Syracuse had a goal called off.

Scorers are streaky and Heising is no exception.

Aldoffson - she has one goal and one assist in 15 games dating back to last year. Glad she is healthy again. She might score more if she was put in front of the net like Eastwood was by Syracuse.

Don't sleep on Amy Dobson who I just read has three goals in her last five games.

[ZedLeppelin]

Checking to see if Mercyhurst got to finally start its season today against RIT (and they did it with a 2-1 win), I saw former Penn State women's hockey player Jordin Pardoski is now an assistant coach at RIT. Wasn't she the head coach at Brown? When did she leave there?

[phillydog]

Received confirmation from SIDEARM Sports that both games against Syracuse will be broadcast for free on CuseTV.