In their first road game of the 2022-23 season, Penn State controlled the action from start to finish as the Nittany Lions swept a home and home with Mercyhurst on Friday Night in their “Green Out” game by the score of 4-1 on Friday Night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
At 17:36 into the first period, Penn State (4-0) began the scoring when Kevin Wall scored on his second goal of the season right after a faceoff which was assisted by Ryan Kirwin and Tre Linden. The goal came after a faceoff in the right half of Mercyhurst’s goal zone of Mercyhurst goaltender Owen Say.
Penn State led Mercyhurst 1-0 at the end of the first period.
Penn State controlled the action in the first period, outshooting Mercyhurst 15 to 9, and not letting the Lakers get a lot of scoring opportunities in their zone. Mercyhurst (0-6) had a power-play opportunity early in the period when Carter Schade got called for interference, but they failed to capitalize. Penn State won ten faceoffs to Mercyhurst’s five.
At 3:47 In the second period, Paul DeNaples scored on a slapshot that was on the top right side of Say that was assisted by Ben Schoen and Tyler Gratton. Penn State continued to control the action in the second period, although Mercyhurst did hold him off on its penalty kill unit after Eric Esposito got called for an interference penalty. Penn State also killed off a penalty after DeNaples got called for tripping late in the second period.
Penn State led Mercyhurst 2-0 after the second period. Penn State outshot Mercyhurst 31-14 through two periods. Penn State has won 70 percent of their faceoffs through the first two periods.
At 2:38 into the third period, Mercyhurst cut the lead in half on a power play goal by Rylee St. Onge, assisted by Carson Briere and Dalton Hunter. The goal was preceded by a penalty called on Connor McMenamin for interference.
At 13:28 into the third period, Penn State once again made it a two-score game when Tyler Paquette scored on a breakaway three-on-one opportunity that was assisted by Christian Sarlo. Penn State put the game away when Ashton Calder scored an empty net goal.
Say recorded 43 saves for Mercyhurst, while Liam Souliere recorded 19 saves for Penn State.
Penn State will host two games against St. Thomas at Pegula Ice Arena next weekend, while Mercyhurst will travel to Clarkson University next weekend.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
