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Penn State Hockey Final Score: No. 14 Nittany Lions Break Buckeyes' Hearts In Overtime

The Lions were trailing for a majority of the game but found a way to win.

By ChrisTaylor
Goal Summary 1st 2nd 3rd OT Final
Penn State 1 0 1 1 3
Ohio State 1 1 0 0 2
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd OT Final
Penn State 15 9 13 3 40
Ohio State 10 17 12 1 40

The No. 14 Penn State Nittany Lions (16-4-3) improve to 6-1 during conference play. In a year that has seen many firsts for the young program, this was the first win in Columbus for Penn State. The game started with a very fast pace that initially favored the home-skating Buckeyes. Guy Gadowsky's squad had trouble countering the speed of OSU for the majority of the game, but found the right approach with time running out in regulation.

With four minutes remaining in the game, Kevin Kerr scored his first collegiate goal to send the game into overtime. Midway through the overtime period, Alec Marsh scored to seal the victory for the Lions.

Matt Skoff had a strong game in net, stopping 38 of 40 shots. The numbers won't indicate just how well Skoff played in this game. There were over ten instances where Skoff was forced to make incredible saves to hold the Buckeyes down.

The teams will play game two of the series on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

First Period

The first several minutes of the game saw each team skating fast and confident. There were quality shots for both squads but neither was able to capitalize. It became apparent quickly that Ohio State intended to match Penn State's fast pace of play. The Lions play fast as a team concept, forcing the issue with deliberate shots on goal that in turn create rebounds for crashing forwards. Ohio State has several players that are very fleet of foot (skate?) on the ice. Penn State peppered the goalie with tough to handle shots in hopes of a rebound coming loose to a following forward for the finish. Ohio State skated the puck into the zone using the physical talent of skating fast to gain distance, then passed to a streaking fast teammate for quality looks at the goal.

With just over ten minutes to play in the period Kenny Brooks was called for a two-minute tripping penalty. Ohio State went on the power play. One minute into the penalty-kill, the Lions had the first chance to score with a 3-on-1 odd man rush. Andrew Sturtz put a shot past OSU goalie Christian Frey for the goal. It was the tenth short handed goal of the year for the Lions, which is good for first in the nation. David Thompson assisted on the play.

Shortly after Penn State took the lead, OSU tied the game with a power play goal from Josh Healey.

Play continued at a very fast pace following the goals. The teams focused on the offensive attack and the action was fluid and steady. With 20 seconds left in the period the Buckeye's Nick Schilkey had a great chance to score on a centering pass but Matt Skoff made the adjustment to keep the game tied going into the first intermission.

Second Period

The second period began with the teams skating with a little less enthusiasm than they had in the opening frame. Four minutes in, Chase Berger was called for a penalty and the Buckeyes went on the power play for the second time. During the power play OSU played with a more controlled tempo, attempting to set up quality shots. The tactic was successful as it produced a half-dozen quality scoring chances. Skoff was able to hold steady in net for the Lions and the penalty was killed with the game remaining tied at 1 apiece.

Following the penalty kill, Penn State took control of the game for a few minutes. With just over 10 minutes to play, Curtis Loik was taken to the ice violently and the Lions went on the power play. Penn State was unable to get a shot on goal for the first minute with a man advantage. Kenny Brooks was called for a penalty with a minute remaining in the power play and the teams skated 4-on-4 for one minute. The penalties expired without a goal scored.

After the penalties, the momentum swung back in favor of Ohio State. With three minutes left in the period Nick Schilkey found Freddy Gerard in front of the net with a great pass, but Skoff made another incredible save and the game remained tied. A little over a minute later Skoff made a series of saves, going to the ice and stretching out to stop a rebound. The effort was valiant but on the next time down the ice Nick Schilkey scored on a pass from Matthew Weis.

Eric Scheid had a breakaway chance with 30 seconds left in the period but Frey was able to make the save. After the final whistle of the period, the teams got into a scuffle behind the OSU net that lasted a few seconds.

Third Period

Two minutes into the period Matt Skoff made another save to keep the Lions within one goal of the Buckeyes. On another crossing pass in front of the net, Anthony Greco had a chance to score on the short side but Skoff swallowed the puck in his chest protector.

Kevin Kerr was called for interference with 17 minutes left in the period and OSU went on the power play. Dylan Richard had a breakaway short-handed chance but was denied. On the following trip down the ice, the Buckeyes tested Skoff again but were unable to extend the lead. The penalty was killed with the Lions still trailing 2-1.

Soon after Andrew Sturtz drew a penalty and Penn State went on the power play. Early in the power play, Mason Jobst used a speed move to draw a penalty for Ohio State. Jobst surprised the Penn State defender with his speed, threatening to create a breakaway opportunity on Skoff. The teams skated 4-on-4 for nearly two minutes.

With exactly ten minutes to play in regulation the Lions went on a power play when Erik Autio was hit hard behind the Penn State net. There were few chances to score with the man advantage but the penalty ended without a goal.

With 4:17 remaining in the game, Kevin Kerr scored his first collegiate goal to tie the game 2-2. Dylan Richard and Eric Scheid assisted on the goal.

With 11.6 seconds left in the period and a face-off in the Penn State zone, Guy Gadowsky called time out to go over the strategy for the critical defensive zone draw. The Lions were solid in the zone and the game went to overtime.

Overtime

During the overtime period, Penn State took control of the game. It was as though the Lions were on a power play, controlling the puck in the offensive zone for the majority of the time. Halfway through the five minute period Alec Marsh scored the game winner. Eric Scheid and Kevin Kerr assisted on the goal.

The Lions held the puck in the offensive zone for over a minute on the final possession. During the push, OSU forward Mason Jobst was injured while blocking a shot. It forced the tired Buckeyes to defend the PSU onslaught with only four capable skaters with Jobst hobbling around doing the best that he could to help.

Stars of the Game

4-star recruit4-star recruit4-star recruit Alec Marsh- Penn State. Game winning goal in overtime.

4-star recruit4-star recruit Kevin Kerr- Penn State, One goal and one assist.

4-star recruit Nick Schilkey- Ohio State. One goal.

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