UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. American International College jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but it wasn't enough as Penn State University came from behind for the 5-3 victory in non-conference men's ice hockey action this evening from Pegula Ice Arena.
The Nittany Lions improve to 4-1-0 on the season while AIC remains winless and falls to 0-5-0 overall.
The Jackets came out strong early and grabbed the 1-0 lead at 2:04 of the first period as sophomore Jackson Dudley (Edmonton, Alb.) chipped the puck into an open net after strong pressure in the offensive zone put the PSU goaltender out of position. Freshman Travis Douglas (Osgoode, Ont.) found senior David Gandara (Canyon Lake, Calif.) who swung around the back of the net and placed the puck on the doorstep for Dudley to convert.
AIC continued the pressure and took advantage of a goaltender interference call to score their first power-play goal of the season at 5:18 for the 2-0 edge. Sophomore Bailey More (Laytonsville, Md.) found Douglas on the left end boards and the rookie skated into the slot and fired blocker side for his first career score.
PSU answered with a power-play goal of their own after a charging call as junior Dylan Richard (Sherwood Park, Alb.) and senior Eric Scheid (Blaine, Minn.) played a little tic-tac-toe as Richard skated into the left slot and found Scheid who skated behind the net stopped and passed back to Richard for the one-timer inside the left dot and the 2-1 score at 12:08.
It was then Scheid pressuring on the forecheck and creating a turnover at the blue line as he skated into the right slot and fired to the far post beating sophomore Hunter Leisner (Garland, Tx.) to the blocker side for the equalizer at 14:37.
The Nittany Lions then took the lead headed into the first intermission as freshman Chase Berger (St. Louis, Mo.) continued his strong play this weekend and knocked home a rebound at 19:24 for the 3-2 advantage.
Penn State extended the lead at 13:40 of the second period as it was freshman Andrew Sturtz (Buffalo, N.Y.) who collected the puck on the right side boards and skated into the slot before squaring himself up and shooting high blocker for the 4-2 lead.
The Jackets cut the deficit in half as freshman Shawn McBride (Victoria, B.C.) collected a rebound off junior Austin Orszulak's (Springfield, Mass.) initial bid and wrapped it around the right side of the net for his first collegiate score at 6:52 of the third period. Senior Brandon Lubin (Commerce Township, Mich.) also collected an assist on the play.
At a crucial point in the third period after going down a man for a tripping call PSU senior Tommy Olczyk (Long Grove, Ill.) grabbed the puck at the redline and skated on a break-away shooting low blocker for the short-handed tally at 14:52 making the score 5-3.
AIC had multiple chances with under a minute to play as they opted for the empty net and controlled the puck in the offensive zone. Both Orszulak and senior Chris Porter (Stoufville, Ont.) each had good bids, but were turned aside and the final horn sounded.
Leisner stopped 39 shots and saw his record dip to 0-2-0 in the loss while junior Eamon McAdam (Perkasie, Pa.) collected 19 saves and improved to 3-0-0 on the year.
American International sees their five-game road swing to open the season come to a close and they now head back to the Olympia Ice Center for their conference and home opener when they entertain Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
