When the buzzer sounds at the end of every Penn State game, the team jumps off the bench and skates to its own net to congratulate the goaltender on another job well done.
Nick Signet, Teddy Hume and John Jay never get hat tricks, or even score the game-winning goal but the three goalies have been the catalyst to another great season.
After the Penn State ACHA Division I Icers lost senior Chris Matteo, there was some concern at the position this year, but Signet, a junior, and freshmen Hume and Jay have excelled between the posts.
Signet was asked to step up to the No. 1 goaltender role by coach Scott Balboni, and hasn't disappointed. Signet has 18 wins, six shutouts and a 1.47 goals against average. His 1.47 GAA puts him second in the ACHA behind Hume for goalies with at least six games played.
"I've just had to buckle down and play hard late into the season," Signet said. "It's been a snowball effect as a team. We have been on a roll and the victories keep giving me more and more confidence."
Hume has been stellar in relief of Signet this year, with the best GAA in the league at 1.01 and a .950 save percentage. The freshman has won nine games this season and lost only one.
Jay has also proved himself in net with three shutouts and no losses in six appearances.
Both goaltenders have learned a lot from the veteran Signet and have used their time in practice to improve their game.
"Nick has been like a mentor to me and Jay," Hume said. "All three of us get along great, and he has really helped me improve my technique, which is something I pride myself on."
Jay added that Signet has helped him stay calm in net, something he had problems with at first on the collegiate level.
While some teams have trouble finding one goaltender, the Icers have three they can rely on every night for a win, Balboni said.
When Penn State was playing rival Rhode Island on the road earlier this season, Signet got sick on the second night of the two-game series and Hume had to step up.
"Teddy came into a hostile environment that is never easy to play in and came away with a big victory," Signet said. "Both guys have are playing above and beyond expectations for freshmen."
The Icers have played 34 games this season and surrendered only 46 goals, a mere 1.35 goals per game. They've only allowed more than two goals in seven games.
The experience Signet gained in the previous two years from Matteo has helped him with the younger goalies. Signet said it really helped ease him into the collegiate level.
"Nick really supports us when we are on the ice, no matter the situation," Jay said. "We listen to how he interacts with the defensemen and pick up things we can use to improve our game."
It's important the goaltenders communicate with the defensemen for the Icers to reach their ultimate goal.
"To be successful we have to work with everyone on the team, not just each other," Hume said. "It's not about us. It's all about winning a national championship."
