Penn State overwhelms Michigan Tech, 8-0, in NCAA Tournament
Liam Souliere shined in the Penn State men’s hockey program’s record-setting, 8-0 shutout victory over Michigan Tech on Friday night. The two teams met in the Allentown Regional Semifinals at the PPL Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State got off to a quick start. Just over two minutes into the game, Tyler Paquette scored a wrap-around goal to give Penn State an early 1-0 lead. Jarod Crespo and Jimmy Dowd. Jr were credited with the assists on the score.
Both teams settled in after the goal and played a tightly contested period of hockey the rest of the way. Penn State led in shots 11-7. Michigan Tech led the first period in faceoff wins by a margin of one, 11-10. There was only one penalty in the period as Tyler Gratton served two minutes for hooking.
The first period included many good chances on both sides. But, only the Nittany Lions were able to capitalize, bringing the game to a 1-0 score headed into the first intermission.
Michigan Tech started the second period with an intensity and speed that was missing from the game in the first period. But that was all there would be for the Huskies in period two. It’s where Penn State started to take control of the game.
Crespo started the second period scoring for the Nittany Lions with his goal just under five minutes into the period. Nifty stick handling from Carter Schade down the ice earned him the assist on the goal.
Penn State continued to dominate the puck on all ends of the ice, but it took until there was just 5:14 remaining in the period for the Nittany Lions to score next. Ashton Calder was all alone down the ice when Simon Mack found him for an easy goal to make it a 3-0 game.
The goals kept coming for Penn State, as with just 1:15 left to play in the period, Christian Berger netted a goal of his own assisted by Ryan Kirwan and Xander Lamppa. The Nittany Lions took a 4-s0 lead into the second intermission.
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The deficit only grew from there for Michigan Tech.
The Nittany Lions scored four goals in the third period. The goals were scored by Kevin Wall, Chase McLane, Connor McMenamin, and Kirwan. Liam Souliere, the Nittany Lion goaltender, held the Huskies to zero goals on the night.
TAKEAWAYS
– Penn State’s 8-0 victory was enough to be the highest margin of victory in NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament history.
– Liam Souliere dominated. A shutout in the tournament is an impressive feat, and Souliere got it done.
– Fifteen different Nittany Lions tallied a point in Friday night’s victory.
– The young defenseman played great hockey tonight. Schade, Crespo, and Dylan Gratton all showed veteran poise Friday night and gave the Nittany Lion faithful a good look into the future. Simon Mack, Schade, and Crespo scored a combined six points Friday night, each tallying two.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions wait for the victor of the (1) Michigan vs (4) Colgate game and will take on the winner Sunday at 6:30 PM at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa.
