University Park, Pa. — In a highly anticipated matchup many billed as a heavyweight battle, that description became literal as Penn State struggled to manage Michigan State’s physicality. The game featured multiple altercations and game misconduct assessed to Gavin McKenna and multiple misconducts to Nic Chin-DeGraves, contributing to a 6–3 loss for the Nittany Lions at Pegula Ice Arena.
Michigan State snapped Penn State’s seven-game winning streak with the victory.
The opening period saw both teams feeling each other out, jockeying for ice position and struggling to establish sustained offensive pressure, resulting in several icing calls. The tempo shifted when Penn State had the puck deep in the Michigan State zone. As forward Aiden Fink attempted to make a play, he was brought down by a Spartan defender. Michigan State quickly transitioned the other way, capitalizing on an odd-man rush as defenseman Maxim Strbak found Anthony Romani, who slipped the puck past Josh Fleming for a 1–0 lead.
Midway through the first period, the building physicality boiled over when Michigan State forward Shane Vansaghi and Penn State forward Nic Chin-DeGraves exchanged words. Vansaghi remained composed, while Chin-DeGraves did not, earning two minor penalties and a 10-minute misconduct. The extended power play proved costly, as Romani set up defenseman Owen West for his second goal of the season, giving the Spartans a 2–0 advantage.
Late in the period, Penn State nearly responded when Reese Laubach rang a shot off the post. However, continued penalties hindered the Lions, including Jackson Smith’s second interference call of the period. During the ensuing power play, Michigan State appeared to avoid a call when Charlie Stramel made contact with Penn State defenseman Jarod Crespo. In transition, Porter Martone and Cayden Lindstrom connected with Romani for his second goal of the night, pushing the lead to 3–0. Penn State challenged the play, but officials ruled no penalty had occurred.
Emotions spilled over early in the second period following a hit by Lindstrom on Fink, igniting a scrum in front of the Penn State bench. After sorting through the altercation, officials assessed major penalties and game misconducts to Lindstrom and defenseman Colin Ralph. McKenna also received a five-minute major for cross-checking along with a game misconduct.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State briefly found life following a Matt Lahey cross-checking penalty. On the ensuing power play, Matt DiMarsico set up Jackson Smith for his eighth goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 3–1. Chin-DeGraves’ night worsened soon after, as he was assessed a game misconduct following another altercation.
Any momentum Penn State generated was quickly erased when Martone scored unassisted from the doorstep to restore Michigan State’s three-goal cushion.
The third period opened with the Spartans on the power play after Penn State captain Dane Dowiak was penalized for throwing his stick. Penn State again came close when Smith hit the post for the second time in the game. Moments later, Laubach buried his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Ben Schoen and DiMarsico.
The comeback intensified when Smith found DiMarsico for his 15th goal of the season, pulling Penn State within one. Head coach Guy Gadowsky pulled Fleming with over two minutes remaining, but the Nittany Lions were unable to sustain zone time. Michigan State sealed the game with two empty-net goals in the final minutes to secure the 6–3 victory.
Penn State will look to bounce back and earn a split in the series when the teams meet again Saturday at Beaver Stadium in the program’s outdoor game. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.
