Penn State men’s hockey (8-3-0) continued its six-game unbeaten streak in its first shutout of the season, a 4-0 triumph over Vermont led by goalie Eamon McAdam on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center. Two extra-man goals perpetuated the team’s power-play unit, ranked second in the nation.

How It Happened

Penn State took charge early on when Alec Marsh found David Glen in front of the net, but a goalie interference call wiped-off the goal and gave Vermont a clean slate with 17:31 left in the first. The Nittany Lions enjoyed spurts of puck possession and shot dominance until Zach Saar sent Penn State on the penalty kill for boarding. Just as the penalty expired, Vermont gifted the Lions a power-play opportunity eight minutes into the first. Saar wasted no time capitalizing on the extra man, as Luke Juha fed him the puck for a one-timer four seconds in. Penn State rode out the rest of the period with a 1-0 lead while remaining ahead in shots, 14-5.

Vermont elevated its offense and forced Penn State into unfamiliar territory in the second period. The Catamounts caught up to Penn State’s shot count, and the teams went neck-and-neck at 16 apiece. McAdam, whose .929 save percentage leads the Big Ten, made a flurry of highlight-reel saves to keep Vermont scoreless. Both teams saw chances denied mid-period — frustratingly highlighted by a Chase Berger diving attempt on a rebound from Kenny Brooks with 8:15 left in the second. Both teams struggled to capitalize until the 2:09 mark in the second period. Dylan Richard capitalized on the late period extra-man opportunity, and his fifth power-play goal of the season served as the second period’s lone lamp-lighter.

Berger made up for the previous period’s missed opportunities, buried a shot off a Curtis Loik rebound early in the third to give Penn State a comfortable 3-0 lead. A mid-period lull was halted by a series of spectacular saves by McAdam — who played arguably his best game of the season. Penn State’s defense was calm and flexible, denying Vermont a comeback opportunity. Assisted by David Goodwin, Richard’s second goal of the game sealed Penn State’s 4-0 win with 30 seconds left in regulation.

Player Of The Game

Eamon McAdam’s first shutout of the season featured 30 saves, including an incredible effort toward the end of the third period to preserve the clean sheet. The goalie sprawled, posted glove saves, and staved off close chances from multiple angles. McAdam leads all Big Ten netminders with his .929 save percentage and six wins on the season.

What’s Next?

No. 20 Penn State enters Big Ten play against Michigan State at Pegula on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.