Penn State men’s hockey now knows what it’s NCAA Tournament draw is.
PSU, seeded No. 3, will take on No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth Friday, March 27, at 9 p.m. in the Albany Regional.
If Penn State wins, it will move on to the regional final, where it will take on the winner of No. 1 Michigan and Bentley. Penn State has played Michigan five times this season, losing three, winning one and tying another. The most recent Penn State/Michigan game took place in the Big Ten Tournament March 14, when Michigan got a 5-2 win in the semis.
If Penn State can make it out of the regional, it will make it to the Frozen Four for the second straight season.
Penn State had never made it to the Frozen Four before last season, when Matt DiMarsico‘s overtime goal beat UConn and became what is, to this point, the signature moment in Penn State history. Since then, Penn State has gained national attention, mainly for its signing of projected 2026 No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna.
McKenna has had a turbulent, but ultimately successful season in Happy Valley. Through this point, he has 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists). For Penn State to make it back to the Frozen Four, McKenna must be at his best.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Coach Guy Gadowsky made it clear in a February interview that Penn State isn’t satisfied with a Frozen Four.
“The Frozen Four was one (the goals), the National Championship is the only one left,” Gadowsky said.
Penn State has been prepared for this moment by playing in the Big Ten.
“There’s no question that those teams that go to the postseason from the Big Ten are going to be battle tested,” Gadowsky said. “You come to the Big Ten to play Big Ten hockey. This is what you can expect, and that’s a good thing.”
