Prior to the game, State College gathers around its net to make final speeches and mental preparations. With the massive stadium looming around them and the anticipation reaching a boiling point, the team readied themselves for their rivals.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, State College Hockey took on its biggest rivals, Altoona, in a historic game inside Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
The opportunity was made possible by Penn State Hockey, which played two days later against #2 Michigan State, where they lost in front of nearly 75,000 fans.
The State College game, which took place just four days after Winter Storm Fern showered the region with over a foot of snow, was played in sub-zero temperatures and with poor ice conditions. Despite the adversity, the hockey clubs put on a show, with both sides contributing to a high-scoring match that was closer than the final score indicated.
Even in the third period, the score was dead even, but a lead-taking Altoona goal swung the momentum in its favor, and State College never recovered. Regardless of the outcome, the match was highly regarded by both teams as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Beaver Stadium stands empty 30 minutes before puck drop. The 110,000 seat stadium, which is currently undergoing renovations, provided bleachers for the hundreds of spectators that came out to watch the matchup. (Ellory Potter)Prior to the game, State College gathers around its net to make final speeches and mental preparations. With the massive stadium looming around them and the anticipation reaching a boiling point, the team readied themselves for their rivals. (Ellory Potter)Junior Ollie Brumburg rounds a corner to control a puck during the team’s warm-up period. The game was slightly delayed due to poor ice conditions, an issue that continued to interrupt play throughout the night. Brumurg was one of the starters for the game, and spoke to the nerves and anticipation that were felt by him and his team leading up to the game: “We were super excited to be there but when we walked into the home football locker room, the team mindset was immediately focused on the game. Throughout our warmup there was uncertainty about how the ice was going to feel so we just were focusing on what we could control, which was our attitude and mindset towards the game. When we put on the jerseys though, I would say we all felt like we were part of something bigger than just our team and it was a really cool experience.” (Ellory Potter)
Sophomore Ryan Marusa sprints down the ice to reach a flyaway puck before turning to attack goal. Marusa, one of four goal scorers for State College, spent almost the entire night in the game. Despite his personal success, the team was not able to pull out a win over their in-league nemesis Altoona. Marusa remained positive and thankful for the occasion nonetheless: “I think being able to have that opportunity to play in that atmosphere was so cool; to lose was very disappointing, but even getting the chance to play [in Beaver Stadium] was so special.” (Ellory Potter)Senior Maya Felix watches a faceoff, waiting for play to begin. Felix, one of only two girls on the team, sees significant minutes every game, playing a strong role as one of the team’s forwards. In terms of takeaways from the game, Felix was no different from her teammates, praising the overall experience despite the loss: “It was so amazing to be on that type of ice and arena, truly once in a lifetime. [Further], having so much support from friends, family and the community was so powerful and made it that much more meaningful. It made my senior year and final season of hockey very memorable.” (Ellory Potter)
Freshman Ryan Dolphin fends off Altoona defender Owen Piper as they battle for the puck. Despite the freezing temperatures, no player shied away from physicality. Many players were pushed into the glass and knocked down on the ice throughout the night. Dolphin proceeded to win this particular battle, passing it out to his teammates to set up their offense. (Ellory Potter)Junior Spencer Faust looks on as Altoona advances the puck up the ice, changing his momentum to help defend State’s net after a team turnover. (Ellory Potter)Junior Henry Jacobs skates to beat Altoona defenders Owen Wasovich and Jack Cousey out of the trapezoid. Immediately after, Jacobs managed to turn the corner and score a momentous second-period goal. “It was awesome to have the privilege to play in a place like beaver stadium and to be able to score is an experience I will never forget. The poor ice conditions played a big role in what we were able to execute on the ice and the cold didn’t help either. Despite the loss, our team still holds a large separation for first place in the league and we hope to win it all in March,” Jacobs said, looking past the loss. (Ellory Potter)
Junior Rylen Coffey waits for the ref to drop a puck during a faceoff. Coffey also played a pivotal role in keeping the game close until Altoona pulled away late. Coffey spoke to some of the difficulties that he and his teammates had with the cold temperatures: “Because of the extreme weather we’ve had over the past days, the ice was frozen to the point where it felt like skating on concrete. The ice was definitely different [than normal] and did have an effect on how we played, but it’s no excuse for the outcome. Even with how it ended, it was a great experience and I’m very appreciative of State College and Penn State for making this possible.” (Ellory Potter)Altoona players Owen Piper and Parker Mirobelli jump into the outstretched arms of their goalie, Senior Seth Conrad in celebration of their 7-4 victory. Conrad was one of the main reasons Altoona was able to extend their lead late in the game as he completed a third period shutout. Still, he credited his teammates before himself when speaking of the accomplishment: “Holding State College scoreless in the third was crazy to me because they are top of the league, but I knew it was possible because we have the best core five players in the LMHL [Laurel Mountain Hockey League]. To win that game meant the world because I’ve watched so many PSU football games there and winning on the field is a once in a lifetime experience,” Conrad said.State College lines up to shake hands with their adversary after the loss, hanging their heads. Senior Derek Peltzer, the team’s captain and one of the leading scorers, praised his team in general while expressing disappointment and explanation for the loss: “We came into the game thinking it would be an easier matchup. The poor ice conditions combined with Altoona being ready to go by the first puckdrop caught us off guard and led to us getting complacent early in the game. Their momentum after their equalizer goal demoralized us and it was hard to get back in our groove—especially in the cold weather. Although it was a fun game, losing to [Altoona] was brutal because it is a game we should be winning every time even in bad conditions.” (Ellory Potter)
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