2022-23 Penn State Nittany Lions

[robertearle]

As Zed said, the winner of the CHA tournament gets an auto-bid to the NCAA tournament. As far as an at-large bid, right now PSU is at #9 which is a "bubble" spot for an at-large bid given that 11 teams make the tournament and both the CHA & NEWHA tournament winners get auto-bids. So I'd say that PSU does need to win the CHA tournament to make the NCAA tournament, because if they lose in the CHA tournament, their pairwise ranking will probably drop.

That's probably right. But keep in mind that Clarkson (and maybe Vermont, but they're a ways back, so may not figure into the discussion) also likely has a tournament loss coming. So it might depend on how 'early' the losses come, and to whom. That is - with NEWHA team as #11 - If Clarkson loses early in the ECAC tournament and then PSU loses, it's still possible that 'upset winner of CHA' gets #10, and Penn State edges out Clarkson for the #9 slot. It is really close right now which of Clarkson vs Penn State would get it.

(And this is fun: how close? Well, the NPI chart at the USCHO web site shows Penn State with a better NPI than Clarkson, but the team-by-team comparisons under the Pairwise table shows Clarkson winning the comparison over Penn State because of a better NPI! One of them has to be wrong. We just don't know which.)

[spwood]

Ohio State fan here checking up on fellow BIG10. Does Penn State have to win the CHA to get into NCAA tournament?

They are probably the last at-large in the field if they don't win the CHA tournament. That said, if they lose in the CHA tourney, they could be passed by Clarkson for that last at-large bid. The easy answer? Maybe!

[ARM]

That's probably right. But keep in mind that Clarkson (and maybe Vermont, but they're a ways back, so may not figure into the discussion) also likely has a tournament loss coming. So it might depend on how 'early' the losses come, and to whom. That is - with NEWHA team as #11 - If Clarkson loses early in the ECAC tournament and then PSU loses, it's still possible that 'upset winner of CHA' gets #10, and Penn State edges out Clarkson for the #9 slot. It is really close right now which of Clarkson vs Penn State would get it.

A team can battle and secure the #9 spot, but if Northeastern stumbles and doesn't win the HEA tournament, then the bubble pops on the team in #9 if it doesn't have its own auto bid.

[Reddington]

Only Northeastern going from Hockey East unless of course they lose in the playoffs.

[PSUfan]

PSU athletics also e-mailed information about purchasing tickets for the Best of 3 semi-final games Feb 24-26 but have not yet posted game times. The men have home games that weekend so the women will likely end up with a Friday afternoon game for Game 1 which is unfortunate.

Games times for the semi-finals announced today:

Game 1 - Friday, Feb. 24 | 2:30 p.m.
Game 2 - Saturday, Feb. 25 | 12:30 p.m.
Game 3 - Sunday, Feb. 26 (if necessary) | 1 p.m.

PSU takes on RIT today at 2 pm and tomorrow at 1 p.m. to close out the regular season!

[Reddington]

PSU vs Lindenwood and Mercyhurst vs Syracuse. What's interesting to at least me is that both Lindenwood and Mercyhurst this past weekend played two goalies (1 each game). They must think it is an advantage to have to prepare for two goalies or in the alternative they have been platooning all year. The PSU coach just needs to keep yammering to not roll around in the mud with Lindenwood.

[PSUfan]

PSU vs Lindenwood and Mercyhurst vs Syracuse. What's interesting to at least me is that both Lindenwood and Mercyhurst this past weekend played two goalies (1 each game). They must think it is an advantage to have to prepare for two goalies or in the alternative they have been platooning all year. The PSU coach just needs to keep yammering to not roll around in the mud with Lindenwood.

Looks like both the Lindenwood and Mercyhurst backup goalies have gotten a fair amount of starts this year. Looking forward to watching Penn State take on Lindenwood next weekend!

Penn State sweeps RIT 8-1 and 3-1 this weekend. Some highlights from players who haven't gotten as much attention or ice time this year -- after not scoring all season Lexi Bedier (skating with Correia & Wallin) scored 2 goals in Game 1 and Leah Stecker, filling in for the injured Julie Gough on the line with Janecke and MacKay, had 2 assists.

[Reddington]

Glad PSU fan is picking up the ball and running with it on the details and the energy. Great observations on the lines and scorers. I hope Gough is ok. And fantastic for Bedier.

[ZedLeppelin]

Edit: Never mind - the CHA site has tournament videos being streamed on Flo Hockey.

[Reddington]

I just checked the Big Ten Network and Flo Hockey. Apparently, Flo Hockey is streaming both the Syracuse Mercyhurst game and the Lindenwood PSU game. It would almost be cheaper to goto the game(s) in person unless you already have a Flo Hockey subscription. Historically, you are right on Friday afternoon games being duds attendance wise, but I would have to think that the Saturday afternoon game has a chance to set a record.

[ZedLeppelin]

Historically, you are right on Friday afternoon games being duds attendance wise, but I would have to think that the Saturday afternoon game has a chance to set a record.

Well, as an incentive this weekend, the first 100 students to every game of the weekend will get in free, so they're trying. No chicken baskets, but hey - free hockey!

[ZedLeppelin]

It's showtime - Penn State's CHA tournament semifinal with Lindenwood starts this afternoon at 2:30 (Eastern). Both BTN+ and FloHockey are now listed as providing the livestream for Penn State's semifinal series, so you do have options for video. If you only want Penn State games this weekend, the BTN+ school-specific subscription ($10) makes more sense, but if you also want to watch the Mercyhurst/Syracuse series then FloHockey ($30) is the only option.

I wish Penn State could face Syracuse in this CHA tournament, just to finally get that "can't get past Syracuse" monkey off their backs, but I don't see this year's Syracuse getting past Mercyhurst in their semifinal matchup. Penn State needs to stick to their game plan with Lindenwood and not let Lindenwood get them out of their groove with the chippiness - go with short shifts, move the puck quickly, stay out of the box, and just stand on the gas pedal from start to finish.

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Video links for today's game at 2:30 (Eastern):

BTN+: https://www.bigtenplus.com/en-int/playerpage/1586829

FloHockey: https://www.flohockey.tv/live/46711

Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=460810

[PSUfan]

Nice interview with Tessa Janecke by the Daily Collegian ahead of the semis: https://www.collegian.psu.edu/multim...7204fb211.html

[ZedLeppelin]

After one at Penn State it's scoreless. Penn State leads the shots on goal 9-5, and both teams took a penalty. I really don't know how Lindenwood managed five shots on goal - there were a couple good chances, but it's been mostly Penn State so far. About the only adjustment I can see for Penn State is to kind of settle down a bit and take shots rather than looking for one too many passes in the offensive zone. Lindenwood doesn't look horrible, and they're as physical as always, but Penn State looks a lot faster than them.

[ZedLeppelin]

After two, Penn State is up 3-1 on goals from Julie Gough, Mya Vaslet, and Olivia Wallin. No penalties in that period, and Penn State is leading the shots on goal by 24-12. That period was all Penn State. It's great to see Julie Gough back out on the ice.