.....PREVIOUS NEWS.....
First game back goes well(1-14-05)
After having off nearly a month, over the holidays, the Penn State Altoona Ice Hockey team played a key game, this past Friday, in Pittsburgh. The matchup was between two ACHA teams, the Lions, and the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Both teams came out strong, and showed no real signs of a let down over the big break. Pitt. jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, early in the 1st period. But, Altoona fought back strong like usual and cut the deficit to one, after a Russ McCugh goal, assisted by Chris Owens. The second period began a lot like the first, with a quick goal by the Panthers to push their lead to 3-1. But, that was the last puck they would sneak past goalie Justin Daniels, for the rest of the game. The second period was from there on dominated by the Lions, by scoring three consecutive goals, and coming back in dramatic fashion. The Lions went ahead by a score of 4-3, on a last second goal by winger Chris Owens (assisted by Alan Pershing), as time ran out and the clock stuck zero, to end the second period.
The third period was controlled mostly by Altoona, as they ran out the clock and milked the time for all it was worth. In a last ditch effort by Pitt., they pulled their goalie and put themselves up by a man, to try and score the tieing goal. But, Russ McCugh made good on his promise before the game, and scored his second goal of the night, with a shot from the tops of the circle, into the open net, to give the Lions the victory, by a score of 5-3.
The Lions will be hosting a two day "All Penn State tournament", this Saturday and Sunday. Teams include: Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend, and Penn State West. The Lions will play Behrend in the opening game, and we hope to see all of you out to Galactic Ice this coming Saturday!
Altoona comes up big(12-04-04)
Altoona played a crucial game this past Saturday evening, at home, against Edinboro University. With Edinboro being ahead of the Lions in the ACHA standings, a win was a must for the guys heading into the Christmas break.
The game played out well, with the Lions jumping ahead to an early lead, with a breakaway goal scored by Chris Owens. Owens has played well for Altoona this year, and leads the team in overall points. The second period started off a lot like the first, with Altoona opening up play with a goal. This time the goal came from forward Mike White, who received a nice pass from fellow line mate Brad Bruckner. Edinboro answered quickly though with a goal of their own, to cut the lead to 2-1. Bruckner added another point later in the game, with a goal of his own, set up by Russ McCugh and Chris White. Penn State seemed to have the game in hand, until Edinboro rallied again to cut the deficit to one. Chris Owens put an end to any chance Edinboro had of coming back, by scoring on his second breakaway of the game, and put the victory away for the Lions, by a final of 4-2. This game marked a huge win for the team, which should move them up a few spots in the national rankings, in the ACHA.
This game also marked the final game played by a great player and friend of Penn State Altoona, Captain Chris Cogan. Chris will be moving up to University Park in the spring, where he will continue his education, as a Business Major. Chris Cogan began the entire Penn State Altoona organization by himself, three years ago after graduating high school. Chris's tireless efforts, and devotedness to the team, is the reason for the success the Lions are having. If not for Chris, no one attending Penn State Altoona would have the opportunity to play college hockey. So, from everyone on the team, staff, family and friends, and myself, we would all like to say thank you Chris Cogan, and best of luck in the future
Lions tie Icecats 3-3(11-13-04)
The Penn State Altoona Lions
took on the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Icecats, Saturday at Galactic
Ice. In spite of the Icecats physically
outplaying the Lions, the game ended in a 3 –3 tie.
The first period came out
strong with Lions goals by Russ McHugh and Chris Owens, as well as an Icecats
goal by Matt Dzadovsky. The first period was the only period that the
Lions lead the Icecats in shots-on-goal at 9 – 7 but the Icecats came out strong
in the second period with 25 more SOG.
The Lions only had 2 shots on goal in the second period but they only needed two
as one went in for Alan Pershing giving the lions a 3-1 to close the period.
However, the Icecats were on the prowl in the third period with 10 more shots on
goal and 2 more goals, one by Dave Molitierno and one by Jason Layman.
The game then went to an a 5-minute overtime period that Goalie Justin Daniels for the Lions faced one more SOG that he saved brining his total SOG to 43 versus a total of 13 that the Icecats goalie Andrew Tully faced. Daniels said that as a team the Lions just need to stick together and move on to the next game. The Lions next game will be December 4th at Galactic Ice against the Edinboro Fighting Scots.
Lions lose heartbreaker in OT (11/5/04)
Penn State Altoona locked horns with ACHA rival, IUP this past Friday evening. The game was a great one between two of the premier teams in the league. Coming into the game, Penn State Altoona needed a big win to be able to take control of their division and stake their claim in the league.
IUP jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, on a defensive break down by the Lions. But, Altoona fought back and were able to stick with IUP. In fact, Penn State took the momentum back and were able to capitalize on some costly mistakes by IUP and lead the game by a score of 4-3 in the third period. But, with a minute left in regulation, IUP scored a slap shot goal from the point that snuck past Daniel's to tie the game up at four. Both teams elected then to play a five minute overtime. This proved costly for Altoona, as the Lions lost a heartbreaker in OT, by a final score of 5-4. The Lions played extremely well, and look forward to this week's game against rival Pitt Johnstown. UPJ will make their way down to Galactic Ice this Saturday, at 5:00 p.m. to try and avenge an earlier season loss to the Lions. This game has the making to be an extremely good game, and should be fun for all those who choose to attend.