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Penn State Men’s Hockey: Power Play Leads Lions to 3-1 Win Over Holy Cross

By Mary Clarke

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It took Penn State six tries, but Eric Scheid gave the Nittany Lions their first power play goal of the game in the third period to help the team beat an extremely undisciplined Holy Cross 3-1 Friday night.

The junior’s third goal of the year came at a crucial time in the game, with Penn State (2-1-2) on its sixth extra-man advantage and nothing to show for them on the scoresheet at that point.

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“I thought our power play was looking okay, the pucks just weren’t sinking, but if keep getting birdie puts, sooner or later it’s going to go in,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said. “That was a big power play goal.”

Forward Kenny Brooks’ signature one-timer from the point rebounded off of Holy Cross (1-3-1) goaltender Matt Ginn and the netminder couldn’t pick the puck up off of the doorstep as Scheid banged it home for the power play goal and the 2-1 lead at 12:32 of the third period.

The game started in controversy as Dylan Richard looked to have scored a beautiful goal at the end of the first period, but it was called back for goaltender interference.

“Right now in the NCAA, there is a point of emphasis on goaltender interference,” Gadowsky said. “The explanation was that [he] interfered with the goaltender. I don’t agree with that at all, and I’m very anxious to see what the league says about it after they see the tape. To me, that was probably the prettiest goal we’ve scored all year.

“I know it’s a point of emphasis, but I can’t imagine that’s the intent of the rule. If you can’t take the puck to the net and try to deke the goalie, I just don’t understand.”

Richard took the puck from his own blue line, managed to avoid defenders through the neutral zone, and a Crusader hip check, and cut in front of Ginn to pocket the puck between the goaltender’s skate and the left post for Penn State’s apparent first score of the game.However, there was apparent interference on the Holy Cross goaltender and the goal was disallowed, resulting in a penalty to Richard.

“It was a weird play,” Richard said. “I didn’t think I interfered with him enough to cause a penalty and disallow the goal. I know that’s a point of emphasis this year with the refs. It was a tough break, but we managed.”

Penn State and Holy Cross traded penalties in the first period. DeRosa had Penn State’s first goaltender interference penalty of the night at 12:37. The Nittany Lions went to the power play at 10:59 of the frame and spent extended time in the Crusader end, but had nothing to show for it. Casey Bailey got the team’s best chance after the power play expired, on a point blank shot in front of the net that Ginn stopped.

Nittany Lion goaltender Matt Skoff stepped up on Richard’s disallowed goal penalty kill, flashing some leather and robbing a Holy Cross player on the extra-man advantage on what would have been a sure-fire goal for the Crusaders heading into the first intermission.

Penn State had two five-on-three chances during the second period but could not convert on them, or any of the five total extra-man chances they had in the period.

DeRosa broke the score open for Penn State at 13:49 of the middle frame. David Glen took the face-off from the left circle and the puck came back to DeRosa, who fired the puck past a screened Ginn for his first goal of the season.

Crusader Scott Pooley tied the game on his first of the year at 12:37 of the third period. Penn State turned the puck over in their own zone and Pooley took advantage of the misplayed puck and fired a one-timer from a knee that beat Skoff from the slot for the 1-1 tie.

After Scheid’s power play goal that gave Penn State the lead back with less than eight minutes left in the game, Bailey helped provide a cushion for the Nittany Lions with 3:46 to play in the third period. With Ginn out of position in his crease, Bailey picked up a Holstrom rebound and tapped it in stick side on the Holy Cross goaltender for the 3-1 lead.

The Nittany Lions outshot the Crusaders 50-30 through three periods of play, limiting Holy Cross to only four shots in the second frame. Holy Cross committed a total of ten penalties, eight resulting in power plays for the Nittany Lions, while Penn State took four total in the 60 minute game.

Goaltender Skoff allowed one goal in 30 shots, picking up his second win of the season in the process.

Penn State will take on Holy Cross again Sunday, Oct. 26 at noon.

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