.....CURRENT NEWS.....
Lions split two game weekend
With the season coming to an end, Altoona played their final two games of the season, away this past weekend, in Pittsburgh. The first game was played Friday night, against CHE powerhouse, California University of Pennsylvania, and the second game being on Saturday, against Carnegie Mellon University.
Friday's game was an important one for both Altoona and Cal, for their final standings in the CHE playoff race. Cal jumped out to an very early lead, scoring on their second shot, a rebound goal, only seconds into the contest. Cal U kept the heat on the Lions, as they pumped in another goal, to increase their lead to 2-0 by period's end.
The second period began with an Altoona goal, scored by Russ McCugh. But, Cal had an answer for that goal, and within a minute scored another goal of their own to make the score 3-1. The second period turned into a scoring frenzy, and proved much different then the first. With co-captain Brad Bruckner, and the Lions leading goal scorer Chris Owens leading the way, Altoona propelled themselves back into the game with four straight goals, to give themselves a lead of 5-3. Unfortunately for Altoona, Cal proved why they are the highest scoring team in the league, and scored three more goals that period to take the lead back by the end of the second period, 6-5. After a wild second period, the third turned cold for the Lions. Altoona couldn't quite get the job done in the final period, and lost the game by a scoer of 6-5
Saturday's game, Altoona came into the game with more confidence then had been seen in previous games. After the team got their legs going, they handled Carnegie Mellon consistently through out the game. Brad Bruckner, who has had a terrific year for the Lions, went on a tear by scoring four goals himself, and assisted on the other two scores by the Lions. He undoubtedly gave the team that edge they had been looking for and needed, heading into the playoffs. Altoona won the contest by a final of 6-4.
Penn State Altoona will be playing Edinboro in the first round of the playoffs, this Friday, in New Kensington. This should be a great playoff year in CHE, with the six teams who made it being at top of the league throughout the entire season. The CHE Championship series will be held next weekend, here in Altoona, at Galactic Ice, and will be a great opportunity for the local area to see a high pace, and talented level of college hockey, right in their back yard!!!
Altoona and IUP go head-to-head for a second time
This past Saturday, the Penn State Altoona Ice Hockey Team, played host to central division rival IUP. This game marked the second meeting between these two great teams, and proved to be one of the most exciting games played by Altoona all year. The game started off with a tribute to all players, from Altoona, who will be moving on to University Park next fall.
After the ceremony concluded, the teams began the game. IUP came out fast, and showed their speed off against the Lions. IUP pounded shot after shot on sophomore goalie, Justin Daniel, who kept the Lions alive with his outstanding effort in the first period. Altoona couldn't seem to muster up any kind of offense in the first period, and were in disarray, as IUP laid into the Lions with seventeen shots in the opening period alone. But, Daniel only allowed one goal slip by him, on a defensive break down by the Lions, as the teams headed off to their respected locker rooms, with IUP ahead of the Lions, 1-0.
The second period started off much like the first, but as if the teams had switched roles. Altoona came out the second period with a new inspiration and an entirely new attitude, as they swarmed over IUP. Altoona did not even allow another shot from their opponent until half way through the second period. The Lions created many more scoring opportunities for themselves, and found a way to score two goals that period, one by sophomore center Brad Bruckner, and the second by sophomore winger, Chris Owens.
The third period was well worth the price of admission, as the game turned into a defensive battle between two great CHE teams. The shots went back and forth, and bodies were flying everywhere to block shot after shot, with the hitting picking up as well. It was just a great game to play in, as well as watch. So good in fact, that the game couldn't be decided in regulation, so the teams had to play a five minute sudden death overtime period. This was exactly how the first game played out between to the two, the first time around, with IUP tieing it in the third period late, and sending the game to OT.
The outcome, much to Altoona's dislike, was also exactly like the first game. As the Lions lost another heart breaker in OT to IUP, with two minutes remaining in the period, and lost by a final score of 3-2. This was the final home game for the Lions this season, but the team will be heading out to Pittsburgh for the last two regular season games against Cal U of Pennsylvania, and then against Carnegie Mellon University. Thank you to all who came out to the game this past weekend, and made the experience a memorable one.
.....PREVIOUS NEWS.....
Two game weekend proves challenging
The Lions went on the road this past weekend, and traveled north, to Cleveland and Erie, for a couple games against Case Western Reserve and Penn State Behrend.
The game against Case Western opened on a low note for the team, as the home team jumped up to an early 1-0 lead. Penn State's goaltender, Justin Daniels, got screened on a shot from right outside the tops of the circle, which proved impossible to stop. The Lions rebounded in the second period with a goal by to tie the game up at 1-1. But, Altoona didn't bring their A-game on Friday. Case Western scored on another screen shot, from inside the blue line, to give them the 2-1 lead, and the win.
The next day, Penn State Altoona jumped on the bus and drove back over the Pennsylvania border, to face off against a fellow Penn State team, in PSU Behrend.
Altoona played much better on Saturday then they did the previous night against Case Western. The game was an exciting one for the many fans who showed up to the Merchyurst Ice Rink.
Behrend jumped out to a quick lead of 2-0, but Altoona fought back to tie the score at 2-2. But, then PSU Behrend went on another goal scoring frenzy and scored two more quick goals, and ended the period up on Altoona 4-2. Coach Bowman reminded the team between the 1st and 2nd period about where they are and what they have to do to put themselves in contention for the CHE playoffs this year. The speech gave Altoona a jump they sorely needed, as the team came out and were all over Behrend in the 2nd. Altoona scored two goals that period, and picked up the hitting game as well. This allowed the team to go back into the locker room after two periods, with the game all knotted up at 4.
The third period proved to be all defense. As neither team was able to slide a puck past either goaltender, which resulted in a five minute sudden death overtime. Once again, goaltender Justin Daniels came up big for the Lions, and helped preserve the tie, by a score of 4-4
The Lions will be hosting their last regular season home game, this coming Saturday, at Galactic Ice, against IUP. This game has all the makings of a great college hockey game, and will be a fun experience for those who wish to attend. We will be honoring all the players that night, who will be moving on to University Park in the fall, with their education and hockey careers, also that night. Hope to see everyone out at Galactic Ice, THIS Saturday at 5 p.m.!!!
The Penn State Altoona Ice Hockey Club competes in College Hockey East (CHE), the premier Division III club ice hockey league for Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. PSU Altoona is a member of CHE, ACHA Division III, and USA Hockey.
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Friday, February 18th 6:00
p.m.
vs.
Edinboro University
Friday 2-11
PSU Altoona 5
Cal U 6
Saturday
2-12
PSU Altoona 6
Carnegie Mellon 4
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