PSU DODGES A BULLET, TIES SAINT VINCENT 5-5

Monday, October 3, 2016

PSUA kicked off its 2016-17 season with a 5-5 tie against the Saint Vincent Polar Bearcats. If you were to look at the stats, you would say PSUA dominated the game out shooting Saint Vincent 73-24. However, goaltender Shane Brudnok, kept the Lions at bay, forcing PSU to come from a two goal deficit with less than four minutes to play. PSU would strike quickly on the power play, 1:07 into the game, when Armen Asdourian's shot from the point, would be deflected and goal given credit to Mitch Rupprecht (Mike Lassik also assisted on the play). Less than two minutes later, Asdourian would tally PSU's second from Mike Pilla and Jon Bilek. SVC would cut the deficit in half, with a shot right off a face-off win. SVC would even the score when Adam Ferguson scored his second of the game. PSU would take the lead in the second when Mike Pilla was credited with a power play goal from Lassik and Asdourian with 2:13 to play in the second period. Coaches and players alike will tell you the most important shift is the one after a goal is scored. And with less than two minutes to play and errant pass led to a break away and a 3-3 tie at the end of two. PSU would come out dominating the third period, but it would be the Polar Bearcats who would score the next two goals on turnovers by the PSU defense, resulting in two odd man rush goals, giving them a 5-3 lead with six minutes to play. With no panic, the Lions went back to work. Peppering Brudnok with shot after shot. Then with three thirty eight remaining, sophomore Mike Lassik would make it a 5-4 game from Asdourian. After a PSU timeout, PSU would put out its five man offensive power play unit, with the intention to pull goaltender Gilchrist, with about a minute to play. However, Rupprecht would go top shelf tying the game with 1:08 to play from Lassik and Asdourian. The two teams would play each other to a draw in a five minute extra session. Coach Lantz had this to say about his team's performance. "When you out shoot a team 73-24, you expect the game to be a blow out. But they have an outstanding goalie, and Shane gave his team and amazing chance to win. Saint Vincent was able to capitalize on our mistakes. But our team showed great resolve and battled back to get a point. I am very proud of our boys today." Stephen Gilchrist would turn away 19 of 24 shots. Armen Asdourian would take home the MVP belt today. PSU travels to Morgantown West Virgina next weekend for another NCHA showdown with the Mountaineers.