Michigan State University
4-9-2, 0-2-0-0B1G
Penn State
10-2-3, 2-0-0-0B1G
Spartans Swept at No. 19 Penn State
12/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania - No. 19 Penn State completed a weekend sweep of the Michigan State hockey team with a 6-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions' Eric Scheid scored twice in the opening 3:50 of the game, putting the Spartans (4-9-2, 0-2) in an early hole from which they would not recover.
Scheid got the first of his two goals at the 2:50 mark, coming out of the right corner with the puck, curling toward the net and slipping it along the ice past goaltender Ed Minney.
Just a minute later, Scheid was the beneficiary of some good fortune as he banked in the puck from behind the net, making it 2-0.
Penn State (10-2-3, 2-0) upped its lead to 3-0 with 2:25 to play in the first, as Ricky DeRosa finished off an odd-man rush.
"Pucks have been going in too easy on us and they did again tonight," said MSU head coach Tom Anastos. "We tried to shake things up a little bit to find some rhythm â€" we have not been able to find any rhythm. A big part of it is we're giving up too many goals and too many goals early."
Despite being down early in the opening period, the Spartans manufactured a good number of quality chances off pressure down low and were eventually rewarded with a power-play goal 55 seconds into the second period. Zach Osburn's shot from the left point sailed toward the net and past PSU goaltender Eamon McAdam. Michael Ferrantino and Matt DeBlouw both picked up assists on the man-advantage goal.
The goal further energized the Spartans, but Penn State seized back the momentum, scoring at the 7:47 mark and again at 14:48. David Glen scored the first on a wrap-around and Kenny Brooks made it 5-1 by jamming in a loose puck in front.
"It's frustrating because you think a lot of the game you're playing pretty well, yet the score wouldn't indicate that," said Anastos. "That's frustrating."
The Spartans killed three of four penalties in the third period, but a 5-on-3 goal by Vince Pedrie capped the scoring with 3:21 to play, making it 6-1.
Jake Hildebrand replaced Minney, who was making his first-career start, to begin the second period and finished the game with 33 saves.
"I think the guys are doing all the right things," said Anastos. "They recognize that we're fighting it and we're all searching for answers. I think are guys are staying focused and trying to fight through it."
The Spartans will host Wisconsin next Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2:30 p.m.) at Munn Ice Arena.
