Penn State hockey is off to an 0-4 start for the first time in six years, but they have a chance to turn things around this weekend with a home series against Canisius.
How To Watch
Who: Canisius Golden Griffins
When: Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
Where: Pegula Ice Arena, State College, PA
Time: 7pm (Friday), 5pm (Saturday)
TV: Big Ten Plus
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Projected Lineup
Shea Van Olm-Luke Misa-Reese Laubach Lev Katzin-Dane Dowiak-Shea Busch Justin Larose-Kale Dach-Justin Poirier Andrew Kuzma-Kaden
Pitre-Marco Mignosa
Jackson Smith-Nolan Collins
Mac Gadowsky-Ethan Weber
Casey Aman-Caeden Herrington
Josh Fleming
Ryder Fetterolf
Opponent Preview
Canisius is off to a solid 3-2-1 start, including wins over Ferris State at home and Clarkson on the road. The Golden Griffins are averaging three goals per game so far this season. Twelve different players have scored, and six have scored more than once. Rhys Chiddenton has started strong with five points in six games. Bemidji State transfer Noah Quinn also has five points in six games. Water Zacher scored 19 goals last year and has two goals and two assists. This is a deep team that is not overly reliant on a handful of players to produce. Canisius has one of the oldest average rosters in the NCAA at 22.8 years old, and Penn State has one of the youngest at 21.5 years old.
The defense is led by sophomore FJ Buteau, whose 22:40 of average ice time and +7 rating leads the team. He has four points already this season and 12 total shots on goal. Jimmy Goffredo has two goals on 13 shots on goal. Penn State will need to key in on them when the Golden Griffins are in the offensive zone. Canisius is allowing only 29.2 shots on goal per game. Penn State has to force this team out of their comfort zone and pressure early and often.
Jack Lisson is the likely starting goaltender, with a .926 save percentage, 2.05 GAA, and 1 shutout in six games so far. His 2.71 goals saved above expected is fourth among all freshman goaltenders in the NCAA. He could be a problem for a Penn State offense still searching for its identity early in the season.
Canisius is 38th in the NCAA on the power play (12.5%) and 34th on the penalty kill (78.9%).
News & Notes
- Penn State leads the all-time series 8-1 and has won the last five meetings.
- Justin Poirier, Kale Dach, and Justin Larose each have two goals this season and have combined for 67% of the team’s scoring early on. The third line has been a bright spot for Penn State’s offense.
Prediction
It has been a horrific start for Penn State, and Tuesday’s loss to Robert Morris felt like a rock bottom of sorts. These are the last tuneup games before conference play starts next weekend. The Nittany Lions showed some good things as the game went on against Robert Morris, but bad habits plagued them in the end. They have to win sometime, right?
Penn State 4-3, Penn State 4-2
