Columbus, OH — No. 4 Penn State entered Big Ten conference play as the most penalized team in the nation with 193 penalty minutes, and those discipline issues continued Thursday night against No. 17 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions were called for eight penalties but still managed to pull out a 3-2 win in a wild Big Ten opener at Value City Arena.
The game featured three different coaching challenges that resulted in two goals being overturned — one for each team — adding even more chaos to an already penalty-filled contest (17 combined).
Just over a minute into the game, Ohio State defenseman Breton Sabo buried a shot past Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead.
Later in the first period, Nittany Lion forward Matt DiMarsico committed the first of Penn State’s eight penalties. The Buckeyes capitalized when Davis Burnside found Riley Thompson, who extended the lead to 2-0.
Penn State appeared to respond quickly when forward Gavin McKenna scored what looked like his fourth goal of the season, but Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik challenged the play for goaltender interference. Officials ruled that Shea Van Olm had interfered with Buckeye goalie Kristoffer Eberly, disallowing the goal.
Ohio State dominated the first period, outshooting Penn State 15–7.
It looked like the night might continue in the Buckeyes’ favor when forward Thomas Weis scored shorthanded five minutes into the second period. After an initial review confirmed the goal, Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky issued a challenge for goaltender interference. This time, officials agreed, determining Weis’ contact in the crease prevented Reidler from making a play — nullifying the goal.
Penn State took advantage of an Ohio State penalty soon after, as Ryan Gordon was called for cross-checking. On the ensuing power play, McKenna faked a slap shot, freezing Eberly, and set up JJ Wiebusch, who buried his nation’s leading 10th goal of the season — and fifth on the power play — to cut the deficit to 2-1.
In the third period, Penn State lost forward Aiden Fink to an undisclosed injury; he did not return. The Nittany Lions, however, surged offensively, outshooting Ohio State 30–15 over the final two periods.
The tying goal came on a gritty sequence. Captain Dane Dowiak ricocheted the puck, which forward Jared Crespo corralled before feeding Nicholas Chin-DeGraves, whose shot was cleaned up in front by Dowiak to make it 2-2.
Rohlik challenged again, arguing Dowiak played the puck with a high stick that should have stopped play. After a lengthy review, officials ruled Dowiak’s stick was below the shoulder, and the goal stood. The unsuccessful challenge cost Ohio State a crucial timeout.
Minutes later, Ben Schoen fired a shot that rebounded off Eberly’s pads, and forward Luke Misa buried it for his first career goal at Penn State — the eventual game-winner that lifted the Nittany Lions to a 3-2 victory.
Through nine games this season, Penn State has outscored opponents 17-4 in third periods.
No. 4 Penn State (8-1-0) completes its opening Big Ten road series against No. 17 Ohio State on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Value City Arena. The game will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Nittany Sports Now’s Three Stars of the Game
Third Star — Kevin Reidler
After surrendering two early goals, Reidler steadied himself and shut the door the rest of the way. In the third period, he made several key stops during Ohio State’s extended power plays, including multiple 5-on-3 chances, helping secure a big conference road win.
Second Star — Luke Misa
Penn State applied relentless pressure in the third period, frequently forcing rebounds from Eberly. Misa’s first career goal came at the perfect time, capping the comeback and sealing the win.
First Star — Dane Dowiak
The captain turned in an excellent two-way performance and was pivotal in Penn State’s comeback. Dowiak sparked the tying goal sequence and anchored a line that went 7-for-11 in faceoffs, setting the tone for the Nittany Lions’ third-period dominance.
