No. 15 Penn State women’s hockey (12-9-1, 7-1-0 CHA) split its two-game series with Union (8-13-2, 3-7-2 ECACH) this weekend at Pegula Ice Arena.

The Nittany Lions lost a 2-1 nail-biter in overtime on Friday night, their first loss in overtime of the season. However, they dominated Union 6-2 on Saturday to split the series.

How It Happened

Game One

Union took a tripping penalty to open the first period, but Penn State didn’t capitalize. About 10 minutes later, Union took another one. The Nittany Lions pounced on the opportunity this time, as Brianna Brooks scored at 15:53 to take a 1-0 lead. However, the lead only lasted about a minute, and Emily King scored to tie it 1-1 at 16:51.

Both teams played back-and-forth hockey for the rest of the game. Neither team could capitalize on any chances, although there were several throughout the game as both goaltenders were dominant on the opposite ends of the ice.

Three penalties were taken in the second period, with two coming against Union. Maddy Christian’s elbowing penalty at 9:36 in the third period was the only additional one.

The game went to overtime, and it didn’t take long for it to end. Maddie Leaney scored at 1:06 into the sequence, upsetting Penn State 2-1 to take a game one victory.

Game Two

Penn State quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Karolina Hengelmuller scored early with 16:38 to go, which set the standard for the rest of the period. The Nittany Lions continued to control the puck and play with momentum, and it paid off quickly. Lyndie Lobdell scored with 14:43 on the clock to grab a 2-0 lead, putting them in firm control.

However, Union struck back early in the second period. Celeste Beaudoin scored just 14 seconds into the second period, which cut the deficit in half. Despite this, Penn State answered with two more goals in the period. Katelyn Roberts made it 3-1 with 13:37 left, and Julie Gough scored on a power play a minute later to take a commanding 4-1 lead with 12:44 left in the period. Union got one more to make it 4-2, with Ella Chiarelli scoring with 12:28 left.

Penn State kept its foot on the gas pedal for the third period. The Nittany Lions continued playing poised hockey, which was aided by power plays. Mya Vaslet scored on the power play with 10:49 to go, and then Stella Retrum did so shortly after with 8:47 left in the game to take a 6-2 lead. That concluded the scoring extravaganza, as the Nittany Lions dominated Union to settle for a series split in game two.

Takeaways

• Katie DeSa and Annie Spring were efficient in this series. DeSa got the nod in game one, giving up two goals while making 12 saves. Spring held her own the next day, with another two goals allowed and 12 saves made.
• The offensive explosion in game two was a reassuring sign after Friday night’s letdown. Six goals isn’t abnormal for the Nittany Lions, who have been a high-scoring team all season.
• Capitalizing on the power plays was a recurring theme, especially in game two. While the Nittany Lions only went 1-for-4 on Friday, they improved to 3-for-5 today, another promising sign to kick off the new year.

What’s Next?

Penn State has a series at RIT, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 12, in Rochester, New York.