Penn State’s Keys to the Series vs No.2 Michigan State
Top 5 showdown culminates in first outdoor game at Beaver Stadium
We are on the brink of the most exciting weekend in Penn State sports this year. With all of the sporting events going on this weekend, one over shadows them all. The No.5 Penn State Men’s Hockey team will be taking on No.2 Michigan State, with the second game being outdoors at Beaver Stadium
The Nittany Lions have been on a roll recently with back to back to back sweeps over Big Ten opponents (Minnesota and the then No.3 Wisconsin Badgers). If the Nittany Lions want to continue the sweep-streak, there are key factors that they must stick to.
Be Relentless on Offense
Penn State put up a combined eight goals against Minnesota and ten goals against Notre Dame and Wisconsin. And to nobody’s surprise, the stars are stealing the scoring show. Junior forward Matt Dimarsico had a combined six goals in the six games over those sweeps featuring a hat trick in the game one win over Notre Dame.
Freshman defenseman and Columbus Blue Jackets 2025 first round pick Jackson Smith has had three goals and five assists through that same stretch. However, the most impressive statline comes from the biggest name on the team.
After having a first half and a World Juniors that many members of the media and hockey fans considered extremely disappointing, freshman forward, and projected first overall pick for this year’s NHL draft, Gavin McKenna has exploded in the last three series. In the last six Big Ten Conference games, McKenna has racked up a whopping six goals and five assists for a total of 11 points. I think it’s safe to say that Gavin McKenna has adapted to Big Ten and college hockey.
Continue Stellar Goaltending
A factor of this game that might be overlooked is the goaltending. Ahead of this series, Penn State freshman goaltender Josh Fleming has the No.1 save percentage in the nation with .944% and Michigan State Junior Goaltender Trey Augustine sits at second in the nation in save percentage with .938%. This weekend will be the biggest for both of these goaltenders.
Although Fleming gave up five goals in the second game during the first series against Michigan State, I still think he is the guy. Since that game, he has been on fire. If he wasn’t he would not be on the watch list for the Mike Richter Award which is given to the best goaltender in college hockey.
Keep Playing the Villan
Throughout the season, Penn State has lived rent-free in the heads of its opponents. Players like freshman forward Lev Katzin have made an art out of being the agitator and getting under the skin. This, in my opinion, is why Penn State is among the most penalized teams in Men’s College Hockey.
On night two against Wisconsin, the game ended in a giant fight and Penn State players pointed at the scoreboard which was plastered with their victory. Things really got interesting when junior forward and captain Dane Dowiak and freshman defenseman Nolan Collins were thrown out and made a grand exit by taunting the Wisconsin Badger fans.
Penn State needs to keep this bully-hockey style. Penn State has been able to get in the heads of their opponents and take over the games. Even at the end of games the tempers have boiled over. We saw this when Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard refused to shake the hand of Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky after the dust finally settled.
Hockey, like other sports, is just as much of a mental game as it is a physical game. If the Nittany Lions can win the mental battle, they will give themselves a great chance to claim their revenge.
Puck drop for game one is set for Friday, January 30th, at 6:00 at Pegula Ice Arena. Saturday’s game will be at 1:00 in Beaver Stadium. Game one will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus and game two will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Both games will also be on the Penn State Sports Network.