Penguins rally from 2-0 deficit on the road
INDIANA, Pa. - Zak Kusek scored two goals and added an assist, and Matt Jacob made 40 saves to lead Youngstown State men's hockey club to a 4-2 win over previously unbeaten Indiana University of Pennsylvania 4-2 at the Indiana Ice Center on Saturday night.
"This was a very big win over a ranked opponent," Penguins coach Rocky Russo said. "We gave them an early lead, but we held our ground. I'm very proud of the way we fought back, especially on the road."
IUP, 6-1-0 and ranked 17th nationally in the recent ACHA poll, jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead just 16 seconds into the game. Brian Willett scored his fifth goal of the season on assists by Chris Ferrogine and Steve Rebovich. The Indians made it 2-0 at the 7:39 mark when Kevin Lutz scored his team-leading seventh goal on a pass from Jim Lutz.
The Penguins, 5-4-0, began their comeback with a power play goal from defenseman Phil Colucci, a native of Mineral Ridge. His second goal of the season was assisted by Mike Poljak and Kusek with 5:58 remaining in the first period.
YSU completed their comeback midway in the second period, scoring two more power play goals in a span of a minute and 29 seconds.
Poljak scored his seventh goal at 8:18 with assists from Matt Feda and Kevin Pawlos to tie the game at 2-2. Kusek recorded his first goal of the evening with 9:47 elapsed in the period to give the Penguins the lead. Feda and Poljak were credited with assists.
In the third period, Kusek got his second goal of the night and his sixth goal of the season. YSU led 4-2 with 12:01 remaining in the game, as Feda was credited with the lone assist.
Defensively, Jacob and YSU stepped up to prevent an Indians comeback. For the game, the Penguins successfully killed all 10 IUP power play opportunities, while converting 3 of 11 chances themselves. The Indians out-shot the Penguins 42-30.
"We knew that it would be a challenge tonight," Russo said, citing his team's 6-5 loss to the Indians at home back on Oct. 7.
Poljak finished with a goal and two assists and now leads the Penguins with 18 points, including a team-high 11 assists. Last Friday, Russo promoted Poljak to co-captain.
"Mikey is a leader both in the dressing room and on the ice," Russo said. He displays all the characteristics of a player that we want at YSU."
The Indians loss leaves Illinois and Oklahoma as the only remaining unbeaten teams in ACHA Division One.
The Penguins return home this week to face another nationally ranked team. Kent State, ranked 20th, visits the Ice Zone on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Face-off is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. For more information, call (330) 965-1423.
