The ultimate goal for any Penn State sports program each season is simple: win a national championship.
With those expectations comes pressure — and everyone within the program feels it. For Penn State men’s hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky, the key to meeting that lofty standard isn’t just talent or tactics. It’s the mindset.
“Mentality is the most important factor, because it really is the only thing you can control,” Gadowsky said. “There’s a process — like analytics — that we want to execute well, but you don’t really control them.”
As Penn State’s younger players adjust to the faster pace and greater physicality of college hockey compared to juniors, mental toughness will determine how far this talented group can go.
Even before the program’s recent success, Gadowsky said that focus on mentality has been part of Penn State’s DNA since the beginning.
“From day one, we’ve been very aware of Terry Pegula’s expectations and his vision,” Gadowsky said. “He expects Penn Staters to play for the team, for the university, to play with passion, and to play fast. Those are mentalities. That’s why we’re so adamant about having the right mindset.”
Building Championship Habits
The difference between a winning hockey team and a championship one often comes down to the finer details — relentless puck pressure, defensive commitment, and intelligent reads that lead to transition chances. Gadowsky pointed to these details as examples of what separates great teams from merely good ones.
He also noted that while certain aspects of the game can be influenced, not everything is within a player’s control — which is why mentality remains the foundation.
“Faceoffs are something we always want to be good at,” Gadowsky said. “But there’s another player who has a big say in that — and the ref’s drop isn’t the same every time. What you do control is your mentality.”
Determining Line Combinations
Penn State has benefitted from dynamic forward lines early in the season, with several units exceeding expectations.
The combination of forwards Aiden Fink and Gavin McKenna has become one of the strongest two-way duos in the country, excelling in both the forecheck and backcheck. McKenna’s quick hands and transition awareness have helped generate consistent odd-man rushes.
Meanwhile, the hottest line in college hockey right now features Charlie Cerrato, JJ Wiebusch, and Matt DiMarsico. Cerrato leads the nation in assists (8) and points (11), while Wiebusch tops the leaderboard in goals (6).
Despite their success, Gadowsky said creating line chemistry isn’t a precise formula.
“There’s no science to it,” he explained. “We tried a number of combinations during camp, so what you’re seeing now isn’t new. All of these lines played together at some point during training camp. Obviously, we’re extremely happy with Charlie’s line right now — he and JJ have been excellent. We just want to keep finding that same synergy in some of our other groups.”
Looking Ahead to LIU
No. 6 Penn State will host Long Island University (LIU) for a weekend series at Pegula Ice Arena, a matchup Gadowsky expects to be highly physical.
“They’re a big, strong, tough team,” Gadowsky said. “(LIU) won 20 games last year, and they just beat Canisius 6-1 — and Canisius beat Clarkson. So that gives you an idea of their level. That’s their identity — they’ve stuck with it, and it’s paying off. This is going to be a very physically tough weekend.”
