Freshman phenom Gavin McKenna earned Big Ten First Star of the Week honors after delivering a record-setting performance during No. 5 (NPI/USCHO) Penn State’s weekend sweep over Ohio State the conference announced Tuesday.
It marks McKenna’s fourth weekly award this season and his second First Star recognition, continuing a strong year for the Nittany Lions, who have seen eight players earn weekly honors across 14 occasions.
McKenna led the nation with 10 total points over the weekend, recording two goals and eight assists. In Friday’s 11-4 victory, he set program records with eight points and seven assists, helping Penn State post its highest goal total ever in a Big Ten game and tie the school’s single-game goals record.
Five of his seven assists were primary helpers, and his eight-point outing was the most in an NCAA Division I game since North Dakota’s Bob Joyce had nine against Michigan Tech in 1987. Rensselaer’s Gordie Peterkin holds the NCAA record with 13 in a performance against Springfield in 1952.
The seven assists were the most in a game since 1983 and a Big Ten record.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.He followed up Saturday with another multi-point effort, scoring the overtime game-winner in a 5-4 win.
McKenna now has 43 points this season and will look to continue his surge when Penn State travels to face Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey this weekend.
