University Park, PA — Ohio State entered Saturday night looking to salvage some pride after Friday’s 11–4 rout and avoid a season sweep at the hands of Penn State. The Buckeyes had chances to spoil the Nittany Lions’ plans, but Penn State had Gavin McKenna, whose overtime game-winner secured a 5–4 victory and completed the sweep.
Ohio State got an early break on its first shot of the game. Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler attempted to play the puck well outside his crease, allowing forward Sam Deckhut to capitalize for his first goal of the season.
Despite conceding first, Penn State controlled play early, recording 12 of the game’s first 14 shots. The Nittany Lions dominated possession for much of the opening period but struggled to convert. Tensions rose midway through the frame when Ohio State defenseman Chris Able delivered a questionable hit on Lev Katzin that sent Katzin into Nic Chin-DeGraves. Officials assessed Able a two-minute minor for interference rather than a major penalty.
Penn State, which entered the night having converted 9 of 18 recent power-play opportunities, was denied on its first two chances. The breakthrough came on a five-minute major for cross-checking issued to Ohio State captain Davis Burnside, who also received a game misconduct. Late in the extended power play, Reese Laubach and Luke Misa set up Shea Van Olm for his sixth goal of the season, Van Olm’s his fifth point in the last five games.
Ohio State seized momentum in the second period, firing the first nine shots on goal. After McKenna was whistled for hooking, the Buckeyes capitalized on the power play as Felix Caron finished a setup from Riley Thompson and Ryan Gordon to make it 2–1. Ninety seconds later, a turnover led to Broten Sabo’s goal, extending the lead to 3–1.
The Buckeyes struck again when James Hong set up Max Mantes for a shorthanded goal to push the margin to 4–1, quieting the Pegula Ice Arena crowd.
Penn State responded late in the period when Jackson Smith and Lev Katzin fed JJ Wiebusch for his 15th goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 4–2. The Nittany Lions nearly drew within one soon after, but Luke Misa and Aiden Fink couldn’t convert on a scramble in front of an open net.
Ohio State dominated the second period statistically, winning the faceoff battle 21–12 and outshooting Penn State 19–9.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In the third period, an Ohio State interference penalty opened the door for Penn State’s comeback. McKenna found Wiebusch for his second goal of the night, trimming the deficit to 4–3 and tying Aiden Fink’s single-season program record with 30 assists.
Just 37 seconds later, Matt DiMarsico set up Jared Crespo to tie the game at 4–4, completing the rally and forcing Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik to use his timeout.
Late in regulation, a controversial no-call on an apparent hit to Katzin’s head drew loud boos from the home crowd. With under two minutes remaining, Penn State successfully killed a high-sticking penalty assessed to Casey Aman, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra session, the Nittany Lions completed the penalty kill and traded chances with the Buckeyes until Fink and Smith connected with McKenna, who buried the game-winner.
McKenna finished the season series with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) against Ohio State.
Penn State now turns its attention to another Big Ten road series, traveling to South Bend to face Notre Dame next weekend.
