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The Penn State men's ice hockey team has finally broken through to the biggest national stage.
The Nittany Lions are preparing for their first Frozen Four appearance in 13 years as a program. After a few near-misses under longtime coach Guy Gadowsky, PSU will look to complete one of the more stunning turnarounds in recent NCAA history, playing for a national championship next week in St. Louis.
The Lions will play national power Boston University, making its third straight Frozen Four, on April 10. Denver will play Western Michigan in the other semifinal.
The national title match is April 12.
And, almost as if scripted, the Lions advanced in dramatic fashion Sunday night in front of their home-state fans in Allentown's PPL Center.
They defeated Connecticut, 3-2 in overtime − ending it on a magical, behind-the-back pass from freshman Charlie Cerrato and goal from sophomore Matt DiMarsico. Goaltender Arsenii Sergeev − who transferred from UConn − made one critical overtime save after another to continue his superior second-half season run.
Penn State had fallen agonizingly short of the Frozen Four before, losing three times in regional finals, including an overtime disappointment two years ago.
But this year has proved program-changing. The Lions are in the midst of one of the great mid-season turnarounds possible.
They seemed destined for a bottom-half Big Ten season failure after a six-game losing streak and a stunning 0-8 start in league play.
But they got Sergeev back from injury to start the new year, revved quickly and transformed into a nearly unbeatable force. They've lost only twice in regulation since Jan. 11.
They swept No. 1 Michigan State on the road, ripped through the Big Ten Tournament and qualified for the NCAAs as an at-large team. They promptly beat favored Maine in their NCAA opener, scoring five straight goals.
That set up Sunday's heroics.
Why didn't he win? Penn State wrestling: The Hodge Trophy winner was announced. It may surprise you.
The No. 1 team gets richer: How the Penn State wrestling dynasty just got better again. Welcome, Rocco Welsh
The Abdul Carter story: Why he's a No. 1 NFL Draft pick: Abdul Carter talks injury, Penn State football, more
Now, they'll look to win Penn State's third national championship in the past three months, following women's volleyball and wrestling.
Gadowsky, the only leader the varsity program has ever known, is a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the nation's top Division I coach.
He's guided the Lions on their torrid 15-4-3 run that's carried them into the Frozen Four.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Can Penn State men's ice hockey win first national title at Frozen Four?
Continue reading...
The Nittany Lions are preparing for their first Frozen Four appearance in 13 years as a program. After a few near-misses under longtime coach Guy Gadowsky, PSU will look to complete one of the more stunning turnarounds in recent NCAA history, playing for a national championship next week in St. Louis.
The Lions will play national power Boston University, making its third straight Frozen Four, on April 10. Denver will play Western Michigan in the other semifinal.
The national title match is April 12.
And, almost as if scripted, the Lions advanced in dramatic fashion Sunday night in front of their home-state fans in Allentown's PPL Center.
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They defeated Connecticut, 3-2 in overtime − ending it on a magical, behind-the-back pass from freshman Charlie Cerrato and goal from sophomore Matt DiMarsico. Goaltender Arsenii Sergeev − who transferred from UConn − made one critical overtime save after another to continue his superior second-half season run.
Penn State had fallen agonizingly short of the Frozen Four before, losing three times in regional finals, including an overtime disappointment two years ago.
But this year has proved program-changing. The Lions are in the midst of one of the great mid-season turnarounds possible.
They seemed destined for a bottom-half Big Ten season failure after a six-game losing streak and a stunning 0-8 start in league play.
But they got Sergeev back from injury to start the new year, revved quickly and transformed into a nearly unbeatable force. They've lost only twice in regulation since Jan. 11.
They swept No. 1 Michigan State on the road, ripped through the Big Ten Tournament and qualified for the NCAAs as an at-large team. They promptly beat favored Maine in their NCAA opener, scoring five straight goals.
That set up Sunday's heroics.
Why didn't he win? Penn State wrestling: The Hodge Trophy winner was announced. It may surprise you.
The No. 1 team gets richer: How the Penn State wrestling dynasty just got better again. Welcome, Rocco Welsh
The Abdul Carter story: Why he's a No. 1 NFL Draft pick: Abdul Carter talks injury, Penn State football, more
Now, they'll look to win Penn State's third national championship in the past three months, following women's volleyball and wrestling.
Gadowsky, the only leader the varsity program has ever known, is a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the nation's top Division I coach.
He's guided the Lions on their torrid 15-4-3 run that's carried them into the Frozen Four.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Can Penn State men's ice hockey win first national title at Frozen Four?
Continue reading...
