asey Bailey doesn't have a nick-
name yet, but if one were to be be-
stowed on him, Mr. Clutch might
top the list.
Twelve times this season, Penn State
has trailed its opponent going into the
third period. Good teams cannot contin-
ually play catch-up, but it seems that
when Bailey and linemates David Goodwin
and Taylor Holstrom are on the ice, a goal
will be scored.
In the six games leading up to their late-
February series against Minnesota, the
Nittany Lions repeatedly fought back,
erasing de/cits of as many as three goals.
In a Jan. 23 game against Northern Michi-
gan, Penn State trailed 4-1 before Bailey
ignited a rally by scoring a goal with 23
seconds le1 in the second period. With
momentum on their side, the Lions dom-
inated the third period, scoring three goals
for a 5-4 victory.
Bailey's goals have a way of changing
the team's energy. With Penn State clinging
to a 3-2 lead in a Feb. 6 game against vis-
iting Wisconsin, the junior forward one-
timed a rocket shot past Badgers goalie
Joel Rumpel to give Penn State a 4-2 lead
with nine minutes to play. Bailey called it
"probably the best shot I've had in my
career. I surprised myself."
Coach Guy Gadowsky was e0usive, as
well. "It was a big-time goal by Bailey,"
|
STICK SHIFT
Through 28
games, Bailey
was leading the
Big Ten and was
fourth nationally
in scoring with
20 goals.
Photo
by Patrick
Mansell
C
I C E H O C K E Y
LAMP LIGHTER
High-scoring forward Casey Bailey keeps PSU on the oensive
