The Face-Off Tackle Empire

Well folks, it's hockey night in State College, PA, and the Mighty Minnesota Golden Gophers are in town, for the second of a two game set. (7:00pm, Pegula Ice Arena, State College, PA. TV: BTN)

Minnesota won game one in an affair that was much closer than most had predicted. (I did not get to see this game, "do you hockey bloggers even watch hockey"?!?!)

The Gophers took a 2-0 lead only to see PSU slowly claw it's way back into the game. With a goal in the 2nd and one in the 3rd to tie it up.  However, a late penalty in the third period gave Minnesota the opportunity to win the game, and they took advantage, netting the winner just as the PSU penalty time expired.

Minnesota's goals were offered up by Brady Skjei, Mike Reilly and Ben Marshall - who tucked in the winner. Adam Wicox turned away 28 of 30 shots in net for the win for the Gophers.

Penn State's goals were notched by Taylor Holmstrom and David Glen, with highly touted freshman, Eamon McAdam turning away an eye popping 42 of 45 shots in the Nittany Lion net, (that kid must be sore and tired today).

So, Round Two is tonight. So far in PSU's first season and a half, coach Guy Gadowsky has show a really good ability to make the necessary adjustments from one game to the next in these two game sets, and has had the Nittany Lions come out and have a much better showing in game two. Let's see if this holds true this evening or if the Number One ranked Gophers say enough is enough and try and blow the barn doors off the Pegula Ice Arena.

If Penn State is going to keep the Gophers in check - for the most part - two nights in a row, they're going to have to play their best hockey of the season and one up their performance from last night. I know the 5,999 fans that will be in attendance tonight will be loud and boisterous, it should be a fantastic atmosphere.