STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s Division I ice hockey program went live in Happy Valley Friday night.

In front of a sold-out crowd, the Nittany Lions debuted under coach Guy Gadowsky. Amid all the pomp and circumstance, there was a game to be played, and though Penn State dropped a 3-2 decision to American International in overtime, it’s clear the program is headed in the right direction.

“Actually, I’m thrilled right now. I thought we played great” Gadowsky said. “We didn’t know if we’d be completely overmatched. We had no idea. And I thought we played tremendous.

“This was just so fun I really felt alive. To see the student section and what they were doing, I loved it. I know we lost but I look forward to this year and I look forward to the future like you can’t believe.”