Penn State Hockey: Nittany Lions Fall to Clarkson in Season Opener

No. 10 Penn State men’s hockey opened its season on Friday night with a 2-1 loss to Clarkson.

Despite outshooting Clarkson 39-21, Penn State nettled only one goal, a strike from sophomore Brandon Biro on a power play in the second period. Kris Myllari and Nate Sucese each recorded an assist on that goal.

Sophomore goaltender Peyton Jones made 19 saves for the Nittany Lions.

How It Happened

Penn State’s season got off to a nightmare start in the early stages of Friday’s game. After a Nittany Lion turnover Clarkson opened the scoring just 14 seconds in when Marly Quince gave his team a 1-0 lead.

Following the goal, freshman defenseman Cole Hults took a hooking penalty to set up a Clarkson power play. Penn State’s penalty kill responded and did not let the Knights double their lead.

The first period ended with the Nittany Lions trailing by a goal, but they generated most of the scoring chances during the first period.

The second period got off to a much better start than the first. Penn State drew a slashing penalty less than a minute into the frame. The Nittany Lions could only create one shot on goal on this power play, and it was fended off by the Golden Knight defense.

Clarkson goaltender Jake Kielly frustrated the Nittany Lion offense throughout the second period, denying everything Penn State brought at him.

After the defensive struggle, both teams found goals midway through the second period. Clarkson doubled its lead wth 6:36 left in the period, but Brandon Biro converted on the power play to cut the Golden Knights’ lead back down to one goal.

Biro’s goal was assisted by fellow sophomores Kris Myllari and Nate Sucese.

The second period ended just as the first did: Penn State trailing by a goal and in search of an equalizer as the next period began.

In the third period, the Nittany Lions again drew an early penalty and went on the power play, but Kielly stood tall for the Golden Knights yet again. He denied shots from Denis Smirnov, Biro, and Sucese to help his team kill the penalty and return to full strength.

Penn State continued to pour on offensive pressure in the third period, but Kielly and the Golden Knights held firm throughout. The Nittany Lions pulled Peyton Jones to create a 6-on-5 scenario in the final two minutes of, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

Player Of The Game

Brandon Biro | Sophomore | Wing

Biro scored Penn State’s first goal of the season on the power play and recorded five shots on Clarkson’s goal. Only Nate Sucese (seven) had more for Penn State.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions are back in action Saturday night when they take on St. Lawrence at 7 p.m.