Friday, February 2, 2006
Snow sports at full force
By Kara Struski
sports editor
Behrend students who enjoy
winter sports are welcoming the
recent snowfall that continues to
blast the region. The mild start to
the season that once kept skiers
and snowboarders from hitting
the slopes on a regular basis, has
turned into a winter wonderland
of fun.
Senior Behrend engineering
major Jason Willis is one student
taking advantage of the snow.
"Finally is the first word that
comes to mind. I am glad the
snow is finally here," said Willis.
Before the January snow
storms, several area ski resorts
were left producing artificial
snow and had a limited number
of slopes and lifts open.
However, resorts around the
region are now in full force.
After a slow start to the season,
Peek'n Peak snowboard instruc
tor and Behrend junior, Jon
Diurba, says business at the
resort has increased dramatically.
"The lessons have been packed
and the ramps and jumps are
bringing in a huge number of
snowboarders," Diurba said.
STUDENT SKI RATES
Peek'n Peak
College ID Nights
Every Sunday-Thursday night
(4 pm.-close)
$l9 lift ticket
with college ID
Holiday Valley
College ID Nights
, Ever sr ~xSiuuhlyzThUtageAgg,:‘,.
(4 p.rn.-10 p.m.)
$24 lift ticket
with college ID
Hockey clinches playoff spot
Ryan Gallagher/THE BEHREND BEACON
Behrend hockey players huddle during a recent game.
The Penn State Behrend Hockey team won a hard-fought battle
against Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Mercyhurst Ice
Arena. This 4-2 win clinched a playoff spot for the Lions in the
College Hockey East North Division. This was also the first time
in the team's history that they beat Pitt-Johnstown.
The game started off with a goal by junior forward Dan Thiessen,
putting Behrend up 1-0 in the first period. Pitt-Johnstown answered
this goal ending the period with a tied score of 1-1.
In the second period Pitt-Johnstown scored another goal putting
them in the lead 2-1.
Then, in the third period, forward Brian Hammel scored a goal
for the Lions, tying the game 2-2. But, it was senior forward DJ
Craven who sealed the win for Penn State with two goals in the
third period, ending the game at 4-2. This game brought Craven's
total goals for the 2006-07 season up to 19, which is the second
highest on the team behind Chris Simanic's 23.
This game was described as intense, due to several fights and
many penalties. It was clear that both teams wanted to prove to be
the dominant team, but it was Behrend who pulled off the win and
the playoff spot.
Aiding the victory was the latest addition to the Lions, freshman
goalie Eric Thiessen. Theissen recently transferred to Behrend
from Penn State New Kensington to play hockey. He has brought
skill and teamwork to the team, helping to take them to victory.
Theissen has played two games this season and has won them both.
Assistant captain and vice president of the Behrend Hockey
team, Brysten Jones, talked about how the spring semester has
been a successful one thus far. "Starting off a new semester 3-0 is
a pretty big deal. We came back to school knowing what we had to
accomplish to earn a playoff spot. Now we have to work hard to
bring back the league championship," Jones said. He is confident
that the teams success will continue throughout the rest of the sea
son.
Their next game is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2 at the Igloo Ice
Arena at 9:45 p.m. against Case Western.
Snowboarding is a multi-mil
lion dollar industry that is sur
passing skiing and Diruba said he
is seeing more snowboarders
than skiers on the slopes.
Peek'n Peak is clearly respond
ing to the popularity of the sport.
New features that cater to snow
boarders include an eight foot
half pipe designing machine as
well as more fun boxes and rails
on the slopes. The new pipe cut
ting tool is the same machine
used to create pipes at major
events, such as the U.S. Open
Snowboarding in Stratton,
Vermont and the ESPN Winter X-
Games in Aspen, Colorado. The
pipe groomer is unique because
instead of a radial shape it creates
an elliptical shape, which makes
for a smoother landing in the half
pipe. Riders can expect to gain
speed easier, resulting in more
hits in the pipe.
Resorts in the Pittsburgh area,
such as Seven Springs and
Hidden Valley, also report excel
lent slope conditions. Students
who are looking for a closer place
to ski or snowboard can try
Peek'n Peak and Holiday Valley
both of which are just across the
New York border.
By Danielle Brown
sports editor
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INTRAMURAL UPDATE
100 mile club deadline Friday, Feb. 2
Ping Pong deadline Friday, Feb. 9
Arena Football deadlins. Friday, Feb. 9
IBICS CLASSES
INgR
Began Monday, Jan. 29
No registration needed; just show
up for class!
Fee is $2 per class or $2O for semester pass
(charged to student account)
MONDAYS:
6-7 p.m. Cardiotoning
7-8 p.m. Pilates
TUESDAYS:
6-7 p.m. Stretch and Tone
7-8 p.m. Taeßlast
WEDNESDAYS:
6-7 p.m. Step
7-8 p.m. Pilates
THURSDAYS:
6-7 p.m. Stretch and Tone
7-9 p.m. Taeblast
RECENT EVENTS:
3-point shoot-out was held Jan. 24 and 25
Women's winner: Elaine Voltz
Runner-up: Britt Hennessy
Men's winner: Jacoby Curtis
5v5 Basketball started Jan 17
For recent results visit:
http://www.behrend.psu.edu/athletics/intramurals/I
Msvsbasketball.htm
Lions join 1,000 point club
cog\igßAT'ulgigiqoq\rs
NBA update: The best is in the west
The NBA heads into the second half of the season with the bal
ance of power clearly shifted towards the Western Conference. The
top three teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix, Dallas and
San Antonio, all have records that are far superior to any team in
the Eastern Conference. The Western Conference also has many of
the top players in the game, as well as the leading MVP candidates,
such as Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant.
The Phoenix Suns have had an amazing season so far, going on
two winning streaks of at least 15 games. Two-time reigning MVP
Nash, has been the leader of the Suns over this amazing stretch.
The Suns started the season 1-5, but since have gone on an amaz
ing run including their long winning streaks. Forward Amare
Stoudemire has been another key player for the Suns, leading the
team in scoring on many nights.
The Denver Nuggets have become a real force in the Western
Conference after trading for guard Allen Iverson during a 15-game
suspension of forward Carmelo Anthony. Anthony was suspended
for fighting in a game against the New York Knicks. Iverson came
over from the Philadelphia 76ers and helped the Nuggets during
Anthony's suspension. The two of them have played well together
since Anthony's return.
The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the top teams in the
league for much of the season. After starting out the season 0-4, the
Mavericks won their next 12 games in a row. The Mavericks later
went on a 13-game winning streak, propelling them to one of the
best records in the league. Forward Dirk Nowitzki has been a huge
reason for the Mavericks' success, as he has led the team in scor
ing in most of their games this season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards have been
one of the biggest surprises. They have been one of the top teams
in their conference this season, led by guard Gilbert Arenas. Arenas
has been the leading scorer for the Wizards, as well as making
some last-second winning shots. He has topped 50 points three
cmgratulaiidons,;,to liebrend basketball players Kevin
uczynski and Brittany Mays for passing the 1,000 point
ark.
Buczynski, a junior center, reached this milestone on
an. 20 after scoring a game high 17 points in a victory
gainst Frostburg State. Buczynski currently sits 13th
11-time in Behrend record books with 1,046 points.
Senior guard Brittany Mays surpassed the 1,000 point
lark on Jan. 23 against conference rival Mt. Aloysius.
ays scored a team -high 16 points in a 79-53 win.
ays currently sits Bth all-time in Behrend history with
,035 points.
By Tommy Phillips
staff writer
Jacoby Curis after winning the Intramural .3-point shoot-out
Voltz (left) and Hennessy (right) pose after the 3-point shoot-out
Amare Stoudemire of the league leading Suns
times this season, even reaching 60 points in one of the teams
games. He received a late surge in votes to be named a starter for
the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
The defending champions, Miami Heat, have struggled tremen
dously this season, mainly due to the fact that center Shaquille
O'Neal has been out for much of the season with injuries. Miami
has dropped all the way to third place in its own division and out
of playoff position in the weak Eastern Conference. Guard Dwyane
Wade has led the team in scoring in nearly every game, but even
his efforts have not been enough to stop the struggles for the Heat
this season.
With the defending champions in danger of missing the playoffs,
there are a lot of teams with a chance to go all the way and win the
title. The best teams in the league reside in the Western
Conference, which would indicate one of those teams winning it
all, but in the NBA, anything can happen.
The Behrend Beacon I