The Lions' Pride

If you missed the game, here's the video highlights from BTN.com

To say that I'm excited about the future of this program is an understatement. Awesome win last night for the program to finish out the season.

No Andrew but I'll give my own incite. I followed the program closely this year, more closely then when they were a club team, just because I'm stoked about them being full blown Division I now.

I think it's fair to say that the team exceeded expectations in year one. At least from general on-lookers who may not know much about hockey. We had some marquee wins in year one over MSU on the road, OSU on the road, Wisky on the road, and vs. Vermont in Philly. Those four teams alone are in and out of the rankings, for the most part on a yearly basis. The key wins are the first three I mentioned, obviously, since they will be Big 10 opponents starting next year. Guy is getting the guys he wants to fit his system and we have some good young talent currently on the team and more coming in for next year to add the necessary depth we need. There's no denying the fact that we could be a premiere hockey program at the Division I level in time. We have all the resources necessary to get us there and with the new arena, that will be even more enticing for future prospects.

Not Andrew, but it was what I expected to be honest. There are ups and downs with first year programs. You never know what you are going to get. Losing to Arizona State, a club team, then Neuman and Buffalo State, both Division III schools - you don't expect. You don't expect to barge into Madison and split with the 16th-ranked Badgers either.

However, last night you could see the talent is there. While this Wisconsin team isn't the Badgers coached by Bob Johnson - loaded with talent, its a team with nine freakin draft picks - three or four of them were first or second rounders too boot. They could have given up down 2-0 on the road, but didn't. They can back harder, got some breaks and capitalized. It's a good way to end the season and gives them a great base to build on heading into next year. On paper, with the class coming in, PSU could easily take the next step up next year.

OSU win was "nice" only the fact it was against a BIG team. Traditionally, OSU isn't good. Sparty had an off year. MSU has been down for a few years. Vermont hasn't been the same since Viktor Stahlberg left. RIT was a nice win in front of a hostile crowd in Rochester. US Under 18 win might have been better than some of the Division I wins since that team has beaten some powers over the last few years. If anything, absent the Wisconsin win, that might hold more significance than any other win on the books. Why? Because those are the kids you want in the program. You beat them, they take notice and might listen should PSU approach them with an opportunity.

Its tough because the 2013 class is locked in for the most part, and there isn't much room in 2014 because of the large 2011/12 classes they had to take to build up the foundation.

There are already a few 2015 kids in the fold, and a win like this will only help. Also beating the USNTDP program when they came to State College, like Hamilton said, is big because those are the top young players in the country. Showing them this team can compete will go a long way.

Also, this new arena recruits for itself, to be honest. It's a gem.

That was a great win last night! Glad I was able to catch it on TV!