Penn State Ties Mercyhurst in OT at Pegula

posted February 15, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Kevin McConlogue

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa- On a night dominated by defense and goaltending, neither team could get that go ahead goal as Penn State (10-12-7, 4-8-3) tied Mercyhurst (12-12-4, 9-5-1) 1-1 at Pegula Ice Arena.

The two teams played to a scoreless first period as both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play with Penn State goaltender Jenna Brenneman making some acrobatic saves to keep the Lakers off the scoreboard.

During the second period, Mercyhurst caught the Nittany Lions napping on a power play line change as Maggie Knott was all-alone in the Penn State zone to put the Lakers ahead 1-0 at the 16:31 minute mark.

“It was a horrendous change,” Penn State head coach Jeff Kampersal said. “A whole sale horrendous change, there’s really not much else you can say about it.”

The Nittany Lions were able to tie up the score as Katie McMillan found the back of the net with assists from Shea Nelson and Loli Fidler at the 19:31 minute mark of the second period.

“My linemates were working it low and one of them managed to pop the puck up front,” McMillan said. “I did a little spin to get the puck from my backhand to my forehand and it was fortunate enough to go in.”

Both teams had chances in the third period, but neither could capitalize on any opportunities. The biggest chance for the Nittany Lions came when Shea Nelson had a one-on-one breakaway towards the end of the period, but was stopped by Mercyhurst goaltender Kennedy Blair.

The game then went to overtime, Penn State’s ninth overtime game of the season, which is the most in the country. Neither team could gain control in overtime, only getting off two shots a piece, as the game ended 1-1.

“We had 15 overtime games last year and nine this year, we have to be setting some sort of record,” Kampersal said. “They’ve been in this situation many times, they know how to come through and tonight we were able to steal a point.”

The Lakers outshot the Nittany Lions 28-22, and were 1-for-5 on the power play, Penn State was 0-for-4 on the power play.

The two teams will play again on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the last home game of the season for the Nittany Lions.

 

 

Kevin McConlogue is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. To contact him email kpm5520@psu.edu.