Nittany Lions use home ice to their advantage

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It's no secret Penn State men's hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky loves the atmosphere of Pegula Ice Arena. Gadowsky boasts about the amazing fans, both inside and outside of the Roar Zone any chance he gets. Again, for this season, Penn State is looking forward to having a "home barn advantage" during games."I've been thinking about it since April, getting back," said Gadowsky. "It makes it so much fun, it makes what we do so much fun. I can tell you I know the players are very, very giddy and excited and it's the same for our staff."The players, for good reason, are excited to be back on home ice. During the 2014-15 season the Nittany Lions won 18 games, with 13 of those wins in front of their fans in Pegula Ice Arena. There is no doubt that the level of noise from the crowd creates an environment in favor of the Nittany Lions."I think that the Roar Zone and atmosphere of Pegula was a huge factor in our home record last year and it certainly does help," said Gadowsky. "It's not only motivating but it just makes you feel fantastic and it's great to be a part of."This year, with eight freshmen on the team, the atmosphere of Pegula is not something the coaches or players can mentally prepare the young players for, but rather it is something they have to experience first hand.Gadowsky emphasized that the energy of Pegula is motivating but can be overwhelming to new players who haven't experienced a game in Pegula yet. Gadowsky also explained there's no good way to prepare his new players for such an atmosphere."I think sometimes if you bring it up you're accentuating it," said Gadowsky. "If you jus be quiet, they know, they've heard, they've heard about what the Roar Zone will be like and I think they have high expectations. So now no matter what we say or don't say I think that's going to be in the back of their mind."The players themselves have expressed enthusiasm for being back on the home ice they love so much. Senior forward Kenny Brooks is excited to step onto the ice Friday night when the Nittany Lions host Notre Dame in Pegula, being welcomed by the loyal fan base the Nittany Lions have gained over the years."With me having a couple injuries last year it's been a while since I've gotten to play in here," said Brooks. "I've got to watch a lot of games but I can't wait to come back here. It's going to be a lot of fun."With adjectives like "fun" being thrown around by returning players, it seems that their return to Pegula for the season is less of a home hockey game and more of a reunion between old friends.Even as a sophomore, having only played one year in Pegula, defenseman Erik Autio is itching to get back."I'm just looking forward to Friday night, seeing the Roar Zone being loud and just playing our first home game," said Autio. "It's definitely exciting for us."As the Roar Zone has posted on social media all week leading up to the home opener, they have a few tricks up their sleeve. Friday night's game has been declared a white out, a classic staple in the Penn State football community that has successfully crossed the threshold over to the hockey fan base.As for the in-game surprise, that's something fans will have to wait until Friday to see."I have no idea what to expect from them," said Autio regarding the Roar Zone's surprise. "I'm just expecting them to be like usual: awesome." With Notre Dame in town this weekend, Penn State will need its fans to be loud come Friday night. Gadowsky summed up his thoughts on this weekend and the atmosphere Pegula holds."We all love it," said Gadowsky. "It's great for the players, the player's cant wait. It's well known now I think that we're becoming the best student section in college hockey and the whole atmosphere is tremendous."Penn State hosts Notre Dame Friday at 7 p.m. and again Saturday at 3 p.m.