STORRS, Conn. — Sometimes in hockey, the scoreboard doesn’t tell the entire story.
No. 17 Penn State discovered that Friday night, opening its 15th NCAA Division I season with a frustrating 3-1 loss to No. 16 UConn in the Ice Breaker Tournament at Toscano Family Ice Forum.
The Nittany Lions controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting the Huskies 43-24 and winning 37 of 56 faceoffs. However, UConn goaltender Kam Hendrickson turned aside 42 shots, and a controversial overturned goal in the third period denied Penn State an opportunity to pull even.
For a Penn State team looking to build on last season’s NCAA Tournament appearance, the opening performance offered reasons for encouragement alongside some familiar frustrations.
Freshman Kale Dach supplied Penn State’s only goal, while sophomore Justin Poirier recorded an assist and nearly delivered the equalizer before a successful UConn challenge changed the complexion of the final period.
Penn State established an offensive presence immediately, generating 10 shots in the opening period while limiting UConn to two.
Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, one of those opportunities found the back of the net.
At 9:11, UConn defenseman Will McIsaac joined the rush and fired a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle past Penn State sophomore goaltender Josh Fleming.
Mike Murtagh and Ethan Gardula collected assists on McIsaac’s season-opening goal.
The Huskies carried that 1-0 advantage into the first intermission despite Penn State’s territorial advantage.
Penn State’s offensive persistence finally produced a breakthrough midway through the second period.
Poirier created the opportunity with an individual effort around the UConn defense, allowing Dach to finish with a backhand shot over Hendrickson from just above the crease at 6:39.
The goal represented Dach’s first collegiate tally, with Poirier and Shea Van Olm earning assists.
It was an encouraging opening statement from two players expected to help replace the offensive production Penn State lost during the offseason.
However, the tie lasted less than nine minutes.
UConn’s Joey Muldowney capitalized on a cross-ice feed from Alexandre Blais, connecting on a one-timer from the left circle that beat Fleming’s glove at 15:35.
Charlie Morrison earned the secondary assist as UConn reclaimed a 2-1 advantage entering the third period.
Penn State continued pressing for an equalizer in the final period, but its best opportunity ended in disappointment.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.With 7:03 remaining, Poirier appeared to tie the contest after slipping a rebound past Hendrickson at the far post.
The celebration was short-lived.
UConn challenged the play for goaltender interference, and following video review, officials overturned the goal.
Instead of entering the final seven minutes tied, Penn State remained behind despite having generated considerably more offensive opportunities.
The Nittany Lions continued attacking, eventually pulling Fleming for an additional skater.
Kaden Shahan ended the comeback attempt with an empty-net goal at 18:26, securing UConn’s 3-1 victory.
Beyond the overturned goal, Penn State’s inability to capitalize on its opportunities ultimately proved costly.
The Nittany Lions finished 0-for-3 on the power play despite controlling the faceoff circle and generating 43 shots.
Penn State also successfully killed both UConn power-play opportunities.
Dach paced Penn State with five shots, while Justin Larose recorded seven. Defenseman Mac Gadowsky added five shots.
Fleming finished with 22 saves, while Hendrickson’s 42-save performance earned him the game’s first-star honors.
The loss snapped Penn State’s five-game winning streak in season openers and dropped the program to 10-4-1 all-time in opening games.
There is little reason to panic after one October contest, particularly considering Penn State’s ability to generate chances against a nationally ranked opponent.
Still, creating opportunities and converting them are two different challenges.
Penn State will have an immediate opportunity to address that distinction Saturday when it concludes the Ice Breaker Tournament against Sacred Heart at Martire Family Arena in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.
