Penn State men’s hockey’s newcomers ready for home opener at Pegula Ice Arena

Charlie Cerrato knows a little bit about Pegula Ice Arena, it’s at least a small part of the reason he decided to play hockey at Penn State.

After attending a couple dozen games as a fan, Cerrato, a freshman forward from Fallston, Md., knows things will be different this weekend when he steps onto the ice for the first time as a member of the team.

He’s one of 11 newcomers who joined the Penn State hockey team this season, and after three road games to start the season he’s ready to play in front of the home crowd, and the typically raucous Roar Zone student section.

“The crowds here always have energy,” he said. “I’ve seen that at games as a fan when I came with my friend and during my recruiting visit. I’m expecting to really feel it during pregame. During the game, you’re usually more focused and might not notice a crowd as much, but there’s certainly something special about the fans here.”

So far, nine of the 11 newcomers have been on the ice for Penn State during the first three games.

Penn State started its season with two road victories in Alaska and then dropped a single game, 3-2, against eight-ranked Quinnipiac. While Penn State rallied late to make that a one-goal game, Quinnipiac was in control from the start.

Coach Guy Gadowsky said that game should’ve helped the team learn it must be ready to go from the drop of the puck in the first period. “It’s just not something you can switch on,” Gadowsky said. “You have to be ready from the start.”

Still, like the players, he anticipates a home series. It’ll be something new for many players and something familiar for those who return.

For fans, several of the key contributors should look familiar as well, including sophomore forward Aiden Fink, who leads the team with seven points (six assists and one goal), as well as senior forward Danny Dzhaniyev and freshman forward Reese Laubach, who each have two goals through the season’s first three games.

Defense has been important for Penn State so far. The Nittany Lions are one of nine teams nationally that have not surrendered a power-play goal this season. Opponents have failed to convert on 16 chances. Only Lake Superior State has held opponents scoreless on more tries, 18.

Conversely, St. Lawrence has converted on 34.8% of its power plays (8 of 23). That’s the fourth-best conversion rate in the country.

PENN STATE (2-1) vs. ST. LAWRENCE (4-2)

Series: 7 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday

Audio/Radio: GoPSUsports.com, 103.7 FM

Streaming/TV: B1G+

Notable: Penn State leads the all-time series, 3-2-1, with a 1-2-1 record at home. … Penn State won a single game at St. Lawrence last October, 4-1. … Senior forward Greg Lapointe leads St. Lawrence with five goals. Classmate Tomas Mazura leads the Saints with seven assists. … Nine different players have scored a goal for Penn State in its first three games this season.