Penn State men’s hockey looking for more consistent play in weekend road games

After a live-and-learn season opening victory, the Penn State men’s hockey team takes to the road again this weekend looking for more W’s and, ideally, more consistent play.

Or at least more inspired play from the start.

After a sluggish start last weekend — host LIU held a 9-4 shots advantage in the first period and controlled most of the faceoffs — Penn State rallied for the victory. But it was not easy.

“We learned a lesson about being ready to come out and compete,” coach Guy Gadowsky said. “To win and learn a lesson like that, you can call that gravy.”

You can also call it a potentially helpful way to prepare for road games at Clarkson and St. Lawrence. This week’s road trip will take Penn State to Potsdam, New York, and Canton, New York, respectively.

Both teams are traditionally big, strong and focused on imposing their will on opponents. LIU did the same, and it took Penn State a while to respond. It might not have that luxury this weekend. Playing well from the start will be important.

While Gadowsky and his staff prepare the team each week and outline a game plan, he said that start-of-the-game mindset boils down to individual accountability.

“We’re looking for a much more competitive mentality from the start of the game,” he said. “And I really think that’s up to the individual. The more guys that you have who are 100% focused, then it’s easier to come along.”

Forward Jacques Bouquot, a transfer from Vermont, where he was a team captain, called the opening-weekend victory “gutsy.”

Although he has just that one game in blue and white, he’s already crafting a role as an unofficial leader for the team, serving a mentor for younger players and as someone to provide accountability and experience by supporting the team captains. Gadowsky said Bouquot consistently does the right thing on the ice, and Bouquot’s awareness, maturity and level-headed approach might be important this season. They were certainly valuable in the season opener.

“We kind of expected it to be a scrapy start, but we just stayed in it,” Bouquot said. “Sometimes that’s all you can do. Just keep playing and working.”

No. 18 Penn State at Clarkson and St. Lawrence

Single Games: 7 p.m. Friday at Clarkson, 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Lawrence

Broadcast(s): GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Penn State leads the all-time series against Clarkson, 3-1, and the series with St. Lawrence is deadlocked, 2-2-1. ... The Nittany Lions lost their only previous game at Clarkson. … Clarkson will welcome the Penn State by hosting a White Out for its home opener. … Clarkson won its season opener last week at Notre Dame, 3-1. … St. Lawrence defeated RIT in its home season opener last week and plays Vermont on Friday before the Nittany Lions visit Saturday.