Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/383968
The honeymoon is over. The Penn State men's ice hockey team is heading into its third Division I season and its second in the Pegula Ice Arena and the Big Ten. Most of the "firsts" for the team have come and gone, meaning that the coming season is about establishing the Nittany Lions as conference contenders. Penn State had been expected to struggle last season against a conference schedule that included games against some of the country's most established programs, and struggle it did. But the Nittany Lions won three conference games during the regular season and then pulled off a huge upset in the quar- terfinal round of the Big Ten tourna- ment, defeating Michigan, 2-1, in double overtime. With the season opening up Oct. 10 against Connecticut, Gadowsky is hoping the team picks up where it left off in March. He recently talked to BWI about the year ahead. Here's what he had to say. This past summer, you were induct- ed into the University of Alaska Nanook Hall of Fame. What was that experience like for you? It is honor, such a great community. They really love hockey, and it was a lot of fun to be a part of that community [as head coach from 1999-2004]. We made some great strides while I was there, so I'm honored to be inducted. It is repre- sentative of the entire community at the time that I was there. Are you excited to go back for the in- duction ceremony on Sept. 27? I haven't been there since I left [to be- come head coach at] Princeton, and there are lot of great friends and such great memories. I am really looking for- ward to it. Last year's season at Penn State in- cluded seven NCAA tournament teams, three out of the Frozen Four and both championship game oppo- nents. The team also had at least 12 games decided by one goal. What was the overall season outlook that you saw at the end? The thing we were happiest with was the vast difference in us in October compared to March; we were a totally different team. … We have a long way to go. It took Minnesota a long time to get where they were, and it took Michigan the same, so we've got a long way. But V A R S I T Y V I E W S KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON Hockey coach Guy Gadowsky opens up in a Q&A as he enters year No. 3 | REASON TO SMILE Despite winning only eight games in 2013- 14, Gadowsky saw marked improvement. "We are all extremely encouraged by how far we came last year," he said. Photo courtesy of Penn State Athletic Communications