Madison, Wi — As Penn State continues its pursuit of the program’s first national championship in men’s hockey, the Nittany Lions got a firsthand look at championship tradition Friday night while Wisconsin celebrated the 20th anniversary of its 2006 national title team.
Penn State responded like a national championship team with a late third-period surge to earn a 3–1 win at the Kohl Center and complete the weekend sweep.
The victory marked Penn State’s seventh straight overall and sixth consecutive Big Ten win, both the longest conference win streak in program history.
Wisconsin rebounded defensively after surrendering seven consecutive goals the previous night but started the game sloppily. Forward Jack Horbach was assessed a penalty for a direct hit to the head of Penn State’s Nick Fascia, giving the Nittany Lions an early power play.
Late in that advantage, Penn State attempted to cycle the puck for one final rush, but a critical turnover was picked off by Wisconsin forward Tyson Dyck. Dyck sprung Christian Fitzgerald on a breakaway, and Fitzgerald deked goaltender Kevin Reidler before slipping the puck through the five-hole for a shorthanded goal, his first short-handed tally and 11th goal overall this season, to give Wisconsin a 1–0 lead.
Penn State pushed back in the second period following a Wisconsin “too many men” penalty.
The Nittany Lions generated their first quality scoring chance when Matt DiMarsico snapped a shot toward the net, but Wisconsin captain Ben Dexheimer, who entered the night leading Big Ten defensemen in scoring, recorded his 31st blocked shot of the season to keep Penn State off the board.
Later in the period, Wisconsin appeared to extend its lead when Ryan Botterill beat Reidler, but the goal was waved off after Dyck crashed into the goaltender in the blue paint. Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings challenged the call unsuccessfully, costing the Badgers their timeout and something that would loom large later.
Penn State finally broke through in the third period against Wisconsin goaltender Daniel Houser.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Verona, Wisconsin native forward JJ Wiebusch scored his second goal since Oct. 31 and 13th of the season to tie the game at 1–1.
After sustained back-and-forth play, Penn State took the lead on an offensive rush when DiMarsico’s drag shot created a rebound opportunity. Reese Laubach collected the puck and buried it past Houser for his fifth goal of the season.
Late in regulation, Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky challenged a potential hit to the head, but officials upheld the call on the ice, resulting in the loss of Penn State’s timeout.
With under three minutes remaining, Wisconsin pulled Houser for the extra attacker. With no timeouts remaining for either team, fatigue set in and the game grew increasingly physical.
Inside the final minute, Gavin McKenna sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, his 10th of the season.
Frustrations boiled over in the closing moments after a swipe at Reidler prompted Penn State captain Dane Dowiak to cross-check a Wisconsin forward Blake Montgomery. All 11 players on the ice were assessed misconduct penalties, officially ending their nights. Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings did not participate in the postgame handshake with Gadowsky.
The teams will meet again at Pegula Ice Arena to close out the regular season.
Penn State now turns its attention to its most anticipated series of the season against No. 2 Michigan State, with Friday night’s game at Pegula Ice Arena followed by Saturday afternoon’s outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.
