These one goal losses aren’t getting any easier for coach Guy Gadowsky.

Despite outplaying the number two team in the nation for the most of the 60 minutes, Penn State dropped its fifth straight game last night to Boston College 3-2. The Nittany Lions now move to 4-15-1 on the year, which probably makes them the best fifteen loss team in the country as Penn State is 3-7 in one goal games.

The Nittany Lions stormed out of the gate, as defenseman Luke Juha and forward Taylor Holstrom both had great chances early to give the Nittany Lions the lead in the first. However, it was Boston College who got on the board first when a Kevin Hayes shot was able to find its way past goaltender Eamon McAdam (27 saves, .900 save %) to give BC the 1-0 lead. Penn State had an 11 to 7 shot advantage going in to the second.

The Nittany Lions were finally able to get on the board seven minutes into the second period when forward Eric Scheid was able to push home a rebound under the pad of BC goaltender Thatcher Demko (33 saves, .943 save %) to even the score at 1-1. Penn State had the opportunity to build on the momentum when captain Tommy Olczyk drew a holding penalty with eleven minutes left, but the Nittany Lions could only generate one shot on the power play and the momentum shifted in favor of the Eagles.

With twelve minutes left in the second BC was finally able to capitalize on the momentum on a 4-on-4 opportunity. NCAA leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau had the puck all alone in the slot and slid it past McAdam to give the Eagles the 2-1 lead. Penn State had another power play opportunity near the end of the second, but couldn’t capitalize and headed into the third period down one goal.

The play went back and forth early in third, until Penn State forward Jonathan Milley took a five minute major penalty for boarding just four minutes into the period. It didn’t take long for BC to capitalize as Hayes notched his second of the game to give the Eagles the 3-1 lead.

Despite having four minutes of penalty time to kill, Penn State was able to generate several offensive chances on the penalty kill. Olczyk was tripped on a breakaway which gave him a penalty shot, but Demko was able to turn it away to keep the Eagles’ two goal cushion safe.

“Everyone’s standing up and I definitely wanted a goal too, but unfortunately the puck didn’t end up in the net,” said Olczyk after the game.

However, the Nittany Lions finally capitalized shortly after when Holstrom and David Goodwin had a 2-on-1 opportunity. Holstrom carried the puck into the zone and ultimately decided to take the shot, which beat the blocker of Demko to pull Penn State within one goal.

Unfortunately, Penn State was unable to score on several scoring chances towards the end of the game, and BC was able to sneak out of Pegula with a 3-2 win despite being outshot 35 to 30.

“We’re very proud of certain aspects of our performance. But I’m disappointed that we had a one goal game again and we took a major [penalty],” said Gadowksy after the game. “I’m disappointed in that. I don’t know how many times we have to learn that lesson, and it’s getting a little redundant.”

Penn State will play at Ohio State next Friday as a part of a Friday/Saturday weekend series.

Game Notes

• Once again, McAdam is proving why he should be the Penn State starting goaltender going forward. Holding an Eagles team that averages 4.5 goals per game to 3 goals is certainly no easy task.
• David Glen missed his first game last night as a part of a bone marrow plant donation. In case you missed the story, you can read more about it here.