PILLA AND RUPPRECHT NET HAT TRICKS IN ROUT OVER DAEMEN

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The 2015-16 Penn State Nittany Lions opened their season in an impressive fashion, routing Daemen College 10-1.  Sophomore Mike Pilla and freshmen Mitch Rupprecht led the charge as they both registered hat tricks.  Pilla would start the scoring on the power play 2:11 into the game (assists Rupprecht, Gricco).  Mike Ludwig, the Lions Captain, would make and end to end rush and would score what would eventually become the game winner with about eight minutes remaining in the first period.  Daemen would score with about four minutes to go in the first period when the two defenseman collided.  The Lions outshot Daemen 21-5 in the first period and led 2-1.  Mitch Rupprecht would score his first college goal at the 9:56 mark of the 2nd period (assists Gricco, Ludwig).  Twelve seconds later Pilla would tally his second goal (assists Lassik, Danese), giving the Lions a 4-1 lead.  Ruppreht would score his second goal of the afternoon at 6:20 (assists Tamburi, Dolan) on an breakaway, backhanding the puck inside the crossbar.  The second period would come to an end with the Lions leading 5-1.  The Lions would go back on the power play three minutes into the third period, as Pilla would record the hat trick and score his second power play of the game (assists Gricco, Ludwig).  Freshman Vinnie DeFazio would score his first collegiate goal at 15:32 (assists Bova, Sereikis).  Tyler Gerhold would pick up a rebound and give the Lions an 8-1 lead (assist Lassik).  Sophomore Nick Tamburi (assist Gricco),  would make it 9-1 three minutes later.  Then PSU would score their third power play goal of the game, and Rupprecht would complete the hat trick.  The Lions would spend the last eight minutes of the game dumping and chasing, limiting Damen to four shots in the third period.  Sophomore Nicco Gricco would end the night with five assists.  The Lions would outshoot Daemen 50-18.  Sophomore Josh Snyder made some key saves early, turning away 17 of 18 shots and earning his first victory of the season.  Mike Pilla and Mitch Rupprecht would share the MVP belt for their outstanding performances.  Coach Lantz commented on the game.  Obviously I was very pleased with the outcome and saw many positive things.  First off I was very pleased with our power play and penalty killing units.  We had some great puck movement and we peppered their goalie with fifty shots.  There is always room for improvement, but it was a great way to start the season.  The Teamwill next play Cal U on Wednesday Oct 21 at 4:30 pm at Rostraver.