'We’re all really excited for that weekend': How Penn State men's hockey plans on preparing for its trip to Alaska

A 10-hour flight, a 66-hour drive, or if you’re feeling super ambitious, a 60-day walk.

That’s how long it will take Penn State to get to its first opponent: Alaska-Fairbanks.

The Nittany Lions traveled to the Last Frontier once before in program history. In 2014 the Nanooks defeated Penn State 4-3 off the back of a two-goal performance from Austin Vieth. The freshman tallied the game-tying and game-winning goals in the contest.

The two teams have met up three times since, with the Nittany Lions winning all three, including a two-game series sweep in 2022.

The Alaska-Fairbanks 2022 team was on the brink of an NCAA Tournament berth, but because the Nanooks are an independent team, and therefore don’t have a conference tournament to boost their PairWise ranking, they missed out.

So, on a 10-hour flight, what can you do?

You can watch the full first season of “Friends,” which has 24 episodes, and you even have time to get started on season two.

You can listen to seven full Taylor Swift albums (using the “Taylor’s Version” variants), but you’d have to stop about three-quarters of the way through “folklore.”

You could drive a round-trip from University Park to Manhattan - though you’d have to allot time to get across the George Washington Bridge and into the city.

If you’re in the mood to review some film, you could also watch approximately three Penn State hockey games.

For the Nittany Lions, they’ll spend the ten hours bonding, sleeping and getting ready to start their 2024-25 campaign.

Working out has been a huge part of the offseason. Reese Laubach and Aiden Fink noted they’ve put on muscle, thanks to assistant director of athletic performance Kristina Jefferies.

Laubach said the team has been focused on health, including taking vitamins and preparing for being in the airports.

“We’re still eight or nine days out from leaving, so we’re doing that,” Laubach said. “Obviously, we’re leaving pretty early so we can get there and get adjusted [to] the four or five hour time change, but I think we’re all really excited for that weekend.”

There’s been a transition period from summer session to the beginning of the season, and fifth-year senior alternate captain, Jimmy Dowd Jr. has stressed the importance of staying mentally and physically healthy to his teammates.

Dowd Jr. cited ensuring homework, sleep and stress were out of the way before the trip west.

“Ahead of the trip, just prepare like any other weekend. Get ahead of your homework, make sure you’re eating right, make sure you know the time difference if you’re sleeping on the plane,” Dowd Jr. said.

After returning from the 49th state, the team will have a five-day turnaround, get on a bus and face the No. 8 Quinnipiac Bobcats in Hamden, Connecticut. Quinnipiac won the National Championship in 2023 and was bounced in the quarterfinals last season. Led by head coach Rand Pecknold, the Bobcats have been a top team in the nation for the past decade.

“Everyone has what works for them,” the New Jersey native said. “Be a pro, like, what works for you works for you, but preparation breeds confidence, and if you’re prepared for anything, you’re most likely going to do well.”

Even though elements like a time change, a long flight and a bus ride stand before the team, sophomore forward Aiden Fink summed up where players' minds are at:

“It’s going to be fun playing games again.”

Penn State and Alaska-Fairbanks will square off at 11:07 p.m. EST on Oct. 5 and 9:07 p.m. EST on Oct. 6. Start time against Quinnipiac is to be determined.

To keep up with Penn State men’s hockey, follow the insiders Adrianna Gallucci (@agallucci17) and Josh Bartosik (@Josh_Bartosik) on X.

Adrianna Gallucci is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.