Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky emphasized the importance of defensive hockey — a facet of the game that often requires physicality to be successful.
Strong defensive play took over the Nittany Lions’ matchup against St. Lawrence on Saturday — a chippy contest that saw eight combined penalties.
The energy was set early on in the first period, as Dane Dowiak laid a hard check on a defending Saint. Later, Dylan Lugris added another heavy hit, wiping out an opposing shooter slotted next to Sergeev.
Rather than ring as intimidation or any sort of mental battle, the big hits and scrappiness had the effect of wearing down the visitors, to the point where multiple power plays and control of the puck throughout the third period couldn’t bless the Saints with a tying goal.