University Park, Pa. — Penn State goaltender Josh Fleming had unfinished business entering Friday night. In the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 21, the freshman allowed three goals in a 3–2 loss at Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci. In the second-half Big Ten opener, Fleming delivered a decisive response.
Fleming stopped all 27 shots he faced as No. 9 Penn State blanked Minnesota, 3–0, on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena. The shutout marked Fleming’s second of the season and powered the Nittany Lions to a strong start to the weekend series.
Penn State also welcomed back freshman forward Gavin McKenna, who returned after helping Team Canada capture a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship. McKenna earned MVP honors in the bronze medal game and immediately rejoined the Nittany Lions’ lineup.
The Nittany Lions wasted little time asserting themselves. Just over five minutes into the first period, defenseman Carter Schade fired a shot toward the net that was deftly redirected by forward Luke Misa past Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo, giving Penn State a 1–0 lead. It marked just the ninth time this season the Nittany Lions scored first.
Penn State continued to press, and later in the period Mac Gadowsky made an excellent play in transition, springing Misa into the offensive zone. Misa found sophomore defenseman Cade Christenson, who buried his second goal of the season to extend the lead to 2–0. Penn State dominated the opening frame, outshooting Minnesota 19–9.
Minnesota showed signs of life in the second period, winning 11 of 20 faceoffs and keeping the shot margin close as Penn State held a slim 10–8 edge. However, just as the Gophers appeared to be building momentum, the Nittany Lions delivered a crushing blow. With five seconds remaining in the period, forwards JJ Wiebusch and Reese Laubach combined to set up Matt DiMarsico, who scored his ninth goal of the season to make it 3–0 heading into the second intermission.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Despite entering the night leading the nation in penalty minutes per game, Penn State played a disciplined game early, remaining penalty-free through the first two periods.
The third period grew increasingly physical. Penn State’s clean sheet was broken midway through the frame when Wiebusch was assessed a 10-minute misconduct. Tempers flared as both teams exchanged power-play opportunities, including a misconduct and roughing penalties assessed to Minnesota’s Tanner Ludtke. The Nittany Lions managed the clock effectively down the stretch to close out the win.
For Fleming, the shutout was his second of the season, placing him just behind Michigan State’s Trey Augustine and Michigan’s Jack Ivankovic, who each have three to lead the Big Ten.
No. 9 Penn State will look to secure the series sweep Saturday night at Pegula Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m., with coverage on the Big Ten Network.
