Syracuse Splits Opening Weekend Series with Penn State

Photo credit: Ian Rempe

By: Isabella Cucci and Sophia Volz

SYRACUSE,NY - Syracuse opened their season with a series split against Penn State University (ACHA DII) this past weekend. The Orange dominated Friday's matchup, defeating the Ice Lions 6–1, but fell short Saturday in a 6-5 shootout loss.

Syracuse and Penn State battled through a scoreless opening period on Friday night. The Orange killed off 2 Penn State powerplays early while AJ Finta stood tall in net fighting off 12 shots on goal in the opening frame.

After a tripping call on Jake Brown early in the second, PSU’s Grayson Messner found the back of the net, putting the Ice Lions up 1–0. The Orange responded and quickly. McLean evened the score shortly after the Messner tally with assistance from linemates Jack Alecia and Ben Brant. The first goal of the Syracuse season was also the first of McLean’s career.

“[McLean] was unbelievable this weekend,” Chesner said. “He has a nose for the net and is a very smart hockey player.”

Just 20 seconds after McLean’s goal Alecia buried one himself - capitalizing on an SU powerplay. Continuing the momentum, sophomore Jack McCormick converted a short-handed breakaway, sending Syracuse into the second intermission up 3–1.

The Orange controlled the start of the third, with defenseman Carter Rugg extending the lead to 4–1. Despite a failed powerplay, Syracuse tallied another marker at the hands of sophomore Tanner Cole, shortly after the man advantage, pushing the score to 5–1. Closing out the game, sophomore Eli Pendergrass scored his first of the season, cementing a 6-1 victory for the Orange on opening night.

Heading into Game Two, Syracuse made several significant lineup adjustments including starting senior goaltender John Angelino between the pipes and dressing 10 new skaters that were not in the lineup for game 1.

Syracuse's top line carried its chemistry into the first period, with Alecia tallying his second goal in two games, with helpers from his 2 freshmen linemates. Penn State’s forward Blake Groton responded shortly after, ending the period tied at 1 a piece.

McLean struck again early in the second when he banged home a Jack Alecia rebound on the powerplay to put the Orange up 2-1. Shortly after, freshman Quinn Wimer netted his first collegiate goal to give ‘Cuse a 3–1 lead. The Ice Lions answered back with freshman Leland Kiely scoring, making it 3–2.

After a Penn State penalty, McLean buried his third goal of the series, extending the Orange advantage to 4–2. The tally marked Syracuse’s 4th powerplay goal on the weekend. The orange were an impressive 3 for 4 on the man advantage in game 2.

Angelino stood tall after facing repeated shot attempts from the Ice Lions’ man advantage in the second period. However, with under 20 seconds left in the period, Penn State tallied a power-play goal to make it 4–3 heading into the final period of the weekend.

Syracuse’s defense fought hard to start the final frame, but Messner slipped one past Angelino for his third of the series, tying the game 4–4 with about 12 minutes left in the game. 

The Orange responded with physical play, killing off two consecutive PSU power plays to force overtime.

McLean, Brant, and Thomas opened 3-on-3 overtime with strong pressure. Syracuse generated several quality chances in the extra fram but neither side could break through, sending the game to a shootout.

After four rounds, Nathan Whipkey scored for the Ice Lions, and the Orange had no answer in the final shootout attempt, falling 5-4.

“We showed a lot of promise but also we have some things to work on,” Senior Chesner said. “All the [first year players] are brought into our culture and they are ready for us to start buzzing this year.”

Syracuse now heads on the road to face West Chester University at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

All home games are played at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are streamed live on the SU Hockey Network. Radio broadcasts are also available for all away games.