No. 12 Penn State clips Ice Hockey

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania – The American International College ice hockey team fell 3-2 to No. 12 Penn State University in the first of a two-game set at Pegula Ice Arena on Friday, October 20.

AIC is now 0-4-0 on the season.

The Nittany Lions roared out of the gate, peppering freshman Nils Wallstrom with a dozen shots in the first, but were unable to solve him.

In the second, however, Ryan Kirwan broke the ice for the home side, ripping home a pass from Xander Lamppa on a three-on-one rush on the right side at 2:50.

AIC battled and bounced back to tie the game. Tomi Leppanen fired the puck in deep for Jordan Biro, who drove to the net and was hauled down as he passed to Dustin Manz at the left side of the crease. Manz threw the puck in front, and it hit Biro and bounced into the net for Biro's first of the season at 4:27.

On the ensuing power play, AIC took the lead. Logan Jenuwine fired a pass from the left dot below the circle to Manz, who in turn immediately fed Josh Barnes back in the slot. The undefended sophomore slapped home his second of the season and AIC's first man-up marker at 5:38. 

In the third, the Nittany Lions drew a power play and converted; Aiden Fink tied the game at 3:19, with Lamppa earning his second assist of the game. That opened the floodgates in terms of pressure, and Tanner Palocsik hammered home a point shot at 15:45 that ultimately proved to be the deciding goal as Penn State took the 3-2 win. 

Despite the result, Wallstrom was brilliant; he recorded a career-best 42 saves in the loss.

The two teams finish the series on Saturday, October 21 at 5:00 p.m.