Penn State men’s hockey is ready for their 2nd Big Ten Title appearance in 3 years. The Nittany Lions have done it again. Though this team has had its defensive struggles throughout the season, they’re showing to be one of college hockey’s most dominant post-season teams.
Opening the tournament against a solid yet unproven Wisconsin team. The three-game series began with a Nittany Lion loss 4-3 after they failed to hold the lead and were cut short from finishing. The second game was a completely different story. The Lions went off with 6 goals over Wisconsin who only scored twice. The final matchup was fought tooth and nail, taking overtime to come to a decision. The Lions prevailed over the badgers 3-2 in one of the best games at Pegula in its short history.
Moving to the semi-finals, the Lions would then face Big Ten regular season champions, The Ohio State Buckeyes. In the regular season, the Lions and the Buckeyes traded wins back and forth. Early in the year, the Lions controlled Ohio State during their games in Columbus.
Image courtesy of Centre Daily Times
Alternatively, the Buckeyes did the same to Penn State, here in State College. But the post-season hockey gods seem to be on the side of the blue and white, as Penn State deconstructed OSU 5-1 on Sunday. With Peyton Jones brick-walling the net and their dominating offensive power, the Lions secured their bid to the tournament Championship against Notre Dame.
With a season record of 22-14-2, the lions must win the Conference to have a bid the NCAA tournament and a chance at the College Hockey National Championship. During the regular season, the Lions split the four-game series with the Fighting Irish 2-2. Losing to the Irish 5-4 on December 7th only to control them winning 9-1 the next night. Closing the season again Notre Dame won 5-4 then the Lions 3-2 the next game. Notre made it to the final after beating no. 3 Minnesota and no. 7 Michigan State in two very close affairs.
The Nittany Lions are off to South Bend, Indiana to take on the Irish this Sunday at * p.m. The Lions must be ready for anything and everything as both teams need to will the conference to play in the NCAA tournament. For the Lions, having begun play as a D-1 team only 7 years ago, winning their second Big Ten title would be groundbreaking.
For complete team stats check this out.
how has Penn state only been D1 for 7 years in hockey?! That is crazy. Before were they just a club? I am so impressed we made it to playoffs again. Rootin for us!!!
Watching Penn State milk the Buckeyes like a cow on Sunday morning was one of the most satisfying moments of this week for me. Here’s hoping for a championship title! After watching us play vs Ohio, I think we definitely have it in us.