Ice Lions regress after impressive outset to weekend

By MICHAEL YODER
Collegian Staff Writer

If Friday night's game for the Penn State Ice Lions showed they were back on track, Sunday's game proved undisciplined hockey will not win games.

Two days after topping West Virginia to end a two-game losing streak, the Ice Lions (8-6-2) lost at Rutgers 4-1 Sunday afternoon in a matchup that saw Penn State mentally and physically fall apart.

"We are not playing smart hockey," said Penn State coach Mo Stroemel, just days after stating his team was back on track. "This game indicated we're not using our heads."

Penn State started the first period strong against Rutgers, playing solid defense and not allowing any goals. At the end of the first period, tied 0-0, the Ice Lions seemed on their way to playing tough, disciplined hockey against a quality opponent for the second time on the weekend.

"We had a great first period," Stroemel said, "and then we fell apart."

The second period turned into a debacle from the beginning for Penn State. Rutgers gained the offensive zone relatively easily, and goals started to add up. The Penn State defense allowed players to skate around it and shoot directly on goaltender Brian Lace. By the end of the period, the score was 3-1, with the only Penn State goal scored by defenseman Kim Cautreels.

"We made four key mistakes in the game," Penn State captain Dan Horowitz said, "and they were able to capitalize on all of them. We need more consistency with our plays."

If the second period was bad for the Ice Lions, the third period may have been even worse. Penn State players were continually scrapping with Rutgers after the referees blew the whistle, and penalties resulted from the altercations. Rutgers was on the power play almost the entire period, giving Penn State little chance to establish a comeback.

A serious setback for Penn State may have occurred when Cautreels received two disqualification penalties for grabbing a player's facemask and starting a fight. Cautreels may miss the next five games for the penalties, creating a considerable problem for a defense that already is undermanned. All year long, Cautreels has been one of the more solid defensemen for the Ice Lions.

"Right now these players have no self discipline," Stroemel said. "They're playing better, but they're not playing smarter. Emotions can't completely control the play on the ice."

The Ice Lions' emotions were also on full display Friday night in Morgantown, W.Va., where Penn State won an extremely physical and high scoring game against West Virginia, 7-3.

Against West Virginia, Penn State got on the board early in the first period with a goal by Frank Fisher that was assisted by Adam Lusin. West Virginia responded with two early goals of its own.

After the first period, the game quickly got out of hand as both teams racked up penalty minutes. Before the end of the game, a combined total of 93 penalty minutes were accumulated.

"The game was very rough and physical," Stroemel said. "West Virginia was very chippy. One of their players was disqualified from the game."

With a relentless floor check and defense that looked unyielding, Penn State quickly took control of the game and dominated all aspects of play.

With the defensive zone under control and physical play keeping West Virginia in check, Penn State's scoring started to add up. Doug Qualey, Stephan Pinchak and Lusin, who also added two assists, scored goals.

In his first game back in over a month, Brian Brillman scored a goal and an assist. Horowitz added two goals of his own, but downplayed the importance of his own performance.

"It's nice to score," Horowitz said, "but what's better is that every line contributed. Players like Brian Brillman really stepped up and played great."

The real turning point in the game for Penn State may have come toward the end of the second period. At the 6:27 mark, hanging onto a one-goal lead, Penn State went on a five-minute power play after a West Virginia player committed a major penalty. The Ice Lions went on to score two goals on the power play and put the game out of reach for the Mountaineers.

"That power play gave us all the momentum we needed," Stroemel said. "It really changed the pace of the game."

West Virginia added a goal late, but couldn't mount a real comeback attempt. Penn State ended the game with 37 shots to West Virginia's 30, and 40 total penalty minutes to West Virginia's 53.

Even with the loss Sunday, Penn State still has a good chance to make the ACHA Div. II National Tournament. However, the Ice Lions have two crucial games on the road this weekend against Ohio State. Two wins may be necessary for Penn State to hold onto hopes of grabbing the tournament's final spot.

"This weekend is real important for us," Stroemel said. "We have to win both games, but we also have to play smart hockey."