University Park, Pa. — First-year Long Island University (LIU, 1–3–0) head coach Brendan Riley said before Friday’s game that, for his team to succeed, it would have to avoid getting into a shootout with the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (4–1–0).
For the first 30 minutes, Riley’s Sharks managed to frustrate Penn State’s potent offense—but they couldn’t hold back forever. Powered by forward Matt DiMarsico’s second hat trick of the season and Aiden Fink’s overtime deflection, the Nittany Lions rallied for a thrilling 5–4 win at Pegula Ice Arena.
Five minutes into the first period, after a highlight-reel save from goaltender Kevin Reidler, LIU’s Garrett Valk capitalized with a shot from the point to make it 1–0.
Early in the second, Penn State’s usually sharp special teams faltered. With Gavin McKenna serving a penalty for interference, LIU snapped the Nittany Lions’ streak of 18 consecutive penalty kills when Nick Bernardo scored on the power play for a 2–0 lead.
Penn State finally responded when DiMarsico netted his first goal of the night to cut the deficit in half.
However, a costly turnover on a power play gave LIU’s JR Pierdon a shorthanded tally—his team’s first of the season—to restore the two-goal cushion.
Undeterred, DiMarsico struck again to make it 3–2, and on another man advantage, defenseman Jackson Smith—the 2025 first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets—unleashed a blistering point shot to tie it 3–3.
In the third, LIU defenseman Nate Benoit was assessed a game misconduct for a hit to the head of Penn State captain Dane Dowiak. The extended power play proved costly for the Sharks, as DiMarsico completed his hat trick to give Penn State its first lead at 4–3.
Bernardo wasn’t done, though—his second goal of the game at 11:27 of the third forced overtime.
In the extra frame, Penn State dominated the 3-on-3 session. Smith fired another heavy shot from the point that Fink redirected past the goalie to seal the 5–4 victory.
Penn State and LIU conclude their series Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena.
Nittany Sports Now’s Three Stars
Third Star – Aiden Fink:
Fink’s net-front presence once again paid off. Though it first appeared the puck went in off his skate, replay confirmed it deflected off his stick for the overtime winner.
Second Star – Jackson Smith:
Guy Gadowsky called Smith a “thoroughbred,” and it showed. Smith effortlessly covered 100 feet from goal line to goal line and delivered two rocket point shots—one to tie the game and another that set up Fink’s winner.
First Star – Matt DiMarsico:
The Cerrato–Wiebusch–DiMarsico line remains a supernova. DiMarsico recorded his second hat trick of the season and the third overall for the line, powering Penn State’s comeback win.
