PSU CLINCHES FIRST PLACE WITH 6-1 WIN OVER PITT-GREENSBURG

Sunday, January 28, 2018

PSU Lions clinched first place in CHE M4 yesterday with a 6-1 win over Pitt-Greensburg. The Lions got off to a fast start when sophomore Catcher Cumming scored 13 seconds into the game assisted by Corey Gates. With PSU on the power-play, a mistake at the blue line would cost PSU shorthanded as Greensburg would tie the score 1-1. Thirty-nine seconds later, Nick Aurillo would deflect a Jon Bilek shot for his first collegiate goal, from Drew Poleshuk. At the 9:41 mark of the first period, Bilek would wrist a shot past Zach Bernstein (assisted by Lesnikov and Gertz). Seven minutes later Bilek would net his second goal of the game top shelf from Poleshuk and Gates. PSU would end the first period 4-1 out shooting Pitt-Greensburg 26-7. The second period wouldn't provide much scoring as PSU would tally the only goal at 12:45 when freshman Drew Poleshuk would go top shelf assisted by Bilek and Ryan Gorman. Second period would end with Lions up 5-1. After killing off several penalties, PSU would finally find the back of the net, when freshman forward Max Lesnikov, would pic up a Breznicky rebound also assisted by Defazio. Penn State would have to kill off nine penalties in the contest. Jonah Brous would pick up his first win between the pipes turning away 14 of 15 shots and splitting duties with Brsndon Marasco. Jon Bilek would earn the teams MVP Belt with 2 goals and 2 assists. Bernstein kept Greensburg in the game with an outstanding goaltending performance turning away 60 shots. Coach Lantz had this to say about his teams' effort. "Its good to clinch first place seed. It's a great accomplishment for a new young team, but that is only the first goal. I thought today we played a little sloppy and took some chances and penalties that we need to clean up if we hope of winning a championship." PSU concludes it regular season against CAL 2 on February 10 at Galactic Ice.