UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women’s ice hockey team (9-7-1, 6-1-0 CHA) opened up their series against Robert Morris University (RMU) (7-10-0, 4-3-0 CHA) with a 2-0 win. This game marked the return of the Lady Lions to Happy Valley after spending the last two months on the road, and they notched their fifth consecutive win against Robert Morris.
The first period was met with plenty of play in the neutral zone, as both teams couldn’t get much going. At the tail end of the period, Colonials’ defenseman Gillian Thompson was sent to the box for interference.
The Nittany Lions opened the next stanza on the power play, and proceeded to draw five more penalties from Lindsey Smolen (hooking), Thompson (cross checking, interference), and Kaitlyn Schooley (5-min major for direct contact to the head). RMU earned themselves a bench penalty and sent Janelle Evans to serve. Penn State didn’t have a penalty kill-free period, as Julie Gough was caught hooking, and Lyndie Lobdell was caught cross checking.
Penn State was able to capitalize on one of the five power plays with a net-front goal from Brianna Brooks with assists from Tessa Janecke and Karley Garcia.
Unable to capitalize with the extra skater at the start of the third, the Nittany Lions saw themselves needing to manage a successful penalty kill as Smolen was able to draw an interference penalty against Lexi Bedier. Shortly after being released from the box, Bedier was able to assist Janecke in notching the second and final point of the night, ending the game at 2-0.
POWER PLAY STRUGGLES:
Today’s eight power play opportunities brings Penn State’s season total to 56, and the team continues to struggle to capitalize on the opportunities, with only 10 successful power play goals on the season thus far.
UP NEXT:
The Nittany Lions look to sweep Robert Morris during tomorrow’s (Dec. 2) 1 p.m. game.
