Men's hockey ranked #12

[flameshockey26]

A new program high Men's hockey is ranked #12 in the USCHO. With 2 big wins so far this season one over ND and the other over St. Lawrence, we are ranked #2 in the PairWise. Currently the highest ranked team in the B1G, but OSU and Michigan are not far behind. Will be a very interesting B1G hockey season. This team is currently #2 in the country for penalty kill, #4 in offense with 4.22 gpg, #7 in defense averaging 2.00 goals against per game. Haven't had the pleasure to watch them play this season but sounds like we are a much more complete team this year than in years past.

 

[VaNtyLion]

A new program high Men's hockey is ranked #12 in the USCHO. With 2 big wins so far this season one over ND and the other over St. Lawrence, we are ranked #2 in the PairWise. Currently the highest ranked team in the B1G, but OSU and Michigan are not far behind. Will be a very interesting B1G hockey season. This team is currently #2 in the country for penalty kill, #4 in offense with 4.22 gpg, #7 in defense averaging 2.00 goals against per game. Haven't had the pleasure to watch them play this season but sounds like we are a much more complete team this year than in years past.

No reason team shouldn't be 11-1-1 when they open B1G play against Michigan. This schedule has an extremely soft (I'd argue way too soft) underbelly between the trip to ND last month and the Michigan series.

Good for gaining young team confidence but also have to avoid the bad habits that can come with having a huge gap in talent.

 

[getmyjive11]

A new program high Men's hockey is ranked #12 in the USCHO. With 2 big wins so far this season one over ND and the other over St. Lawrence, we are ranked #2 in the PairWise. Currently the highest ranked team in the B1G, but OSU and Michigan are not far behind. Will be a very interesting B1G hockey season. This team is currently #2 in the country for penalty kill, #4 in offense with 4.22 gpg, #7 in defense averaging 2.00 goals against per game. Haven't had the pleasure to watch them play this season but sounds like we are a much more complete team this year than in years past.

It's a young team and they are playing really well. Far ahead of where I thought that would be *at the end of the year.* The Russian freshman Smirnov looks like a star. 15 points already... good enough for 5th in the nation. As is typical, this team gets a ton of shots, only it has increased even more this year (about 4 more shots per game over last year at this point).

You have got to think that we will see some young-team-mistakes at some point this year, but they have been very good.

 

[wcicci]

It's a young team and they are playing really well. Far ahead of where I thought that would be *at the end of the year.* The Russian freshman Smirnov looks like a star. 15 points already... good enough for 5th in the nation. As is typical, this team gets a ton of shots, only it has increased even more this year (about 4 more shots per game over last year at this point).

You have got to think that we will see some young-team-mistakes at some point this year, but they have been very good.

I'm a huge college hockey fan. Recently moved to State College and was thrilled when they started the hockey program. Pegula is awesome. Love Penn St hockey and root for them. Second only to my alma mater. Gadowsky has done a great job. Built program quickly, but utilized adavantages of Penn State and facilities, without taking shortcuts. Don't pay much attention to rankings until late Jan, then only look at Pairwise. That is the NCAA tournament field.

 

[fairgambit]

A new program high Men's hockey is ranked #12 in the USCHO. With 2 big wins so far this season one over ND and the other over St. Lawrence, we are ranked #2 in the PairWise. Currently the highest ranked team in the B1G, but OSU and Michigan are not far behind. Will be a very interesting B1G hockey season. This team is currently #2 in the country for penalty kill, #4 in offense with 4.22 gpg, #7 in defense averaging 2.00 goals against per game. Haven't had the pleasure to watch them play this season but sounds like we are a much more complete team this year than in years past.

They're a Bunch of Puckers.

 

[mn78psu83]

They're a Bunch of Puckers.

Does that count as vulgar?

 

[fairgambit]

Does that count as vulgar?

Puck no!

 

[bwifan]

Puck no!

Everyone just needs to calm the Puck down...

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Everything said there is true. We're pretty good. Bubble team for the NCAA. The schedule is atrocious - except for ND and StL, we have a plate full of stiffs or at the best case, so-so.

The B1G is going to be a buzz saw with four teams that are ranked - and good. Defending the home ice is vital. It's going to be a good season - see you Friday!

 

[fairgambit]

Everyone just needs to calm the Puck down...

I can't. I'm Pucked up.

 

[mn78psu83]

It's ancient history now - PSU really outplayed St. Lawrence for most of the 2nd game 6-3 loss. Too bad they were asleep at the wheel for the first 5 minutes of the game and fell behind 3-0. Just couldn't quite get it all back and the empty net goal sealed it. It is obvious that this is PSU's best skating team ever. Smirnov has great hands and seems to at least set someone up for a good chance almost every shift.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

It's ancient history now - PSU really outplayed St. Lawrence for most of the 2nd game 6-3 loss. Too bad they were asleep at the wheel for the first 5 minutes of the game and fell behind 3-0. Just couldn't quite get it all back and the empty net goal sealed it. It is obvious that this is PSU's best skating team ever. Smirnov has great hands and seems to at least set someone up for a good chance almost every shift.

6 points over the weekend against Niagara. That ain't bad.

 

[rudedude]

Smirnov on ice, that's nice!

 

[wcicci]

6 points over the weekend against Niagara. That ain't bad.

I think it's time to really temper the excitement. Good start but really early. You do not take 6 points from a non conference opponent. 2 wins v Niagra is nice, but not significant. Way too early to call the BiG a buzzsaw.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I think it's time to really temper the excitement. Good start but really early. You do not take 6 points from a non conference opponent. 2 wins v Niagra is nice, but not significant. Way too early to call the BiG a buzzsaw.

Come on now. Smirnov had a goal and two assists on Thursday night and three assists on Friday night. SIX POINTS.

And four of the six B1G teams are ranked.

 

[wcicci]

Come on now. Smirnov had a goal and two assists on Thursday night and three assists on Friday night. SIX POINTS.

And four of the six B1G teams are ranked.[/QUOTE

Come on now. Smirnov had a goal and two assists on Thursday night and three assists on Friday night. SIX POINTS.

And four of the six B1G teams are ranked.

Come on now? Are you serious? Four teams ranked and one one the bubble and another outside looking in for tournament. BIG has been essentially a one bid league since inception. That's why they're adding ND.

 

[WWJDLion]

A new program high Men's hockey is ranked #12 in the USCHO. With 2 big wins so far this season one over ND and the other over St. Lawrence, we are ranked #2 in the PairWise. Currently the highest ranked team in the B1G, but OSU and Michigan are not far behind. Will be a very interesting B1G hockey season. This team is currently #2 in the country for penalty kill, #4 in offense with 4.22 gpg, #7 in defense averaging 2.00 goals against per game. Haven't had the pleasure to watch them play this season but sounds like we are a much more complete team this year than in years past.

That is pretty amazing, considering how new the D1 program is....

 

[doctornick]

I don't understand how the heck Notre Dame is still ranked above us (#9) since we went 1-0-1 at their place and have a far better overall record (7-1-1 vs 4-3-1). Yes, they have a win (and a loss) vs Minnesota-Duluth but the rest of their schedule is unremarkable.

 

[ChiTownLion]

Will always love this.

 

[UncleLar]

Smirnov on ice, that's nice!

Needless to say, the kids in the Roar Zone have already picked up on that one.

 

[BobPSU92]

Will always love this.

That's a lot of good wins.