ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Top-ranked Michigan, the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Conference Hockey Tournament, advanced to the conference championship with a 5-2 victory over third-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions at Yost Ice Arena on Saturday night.
With the win, the Michigan Wolverines men’s ice hockey improved to 2-4 all-time against Penn State in Big Ten Tournament play.
Prior to puck drop, Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky opted to break from the goaltender rotation he had used throughout the season. Instead of alternating starts between Josh Fleming and Kevin Reidler, Gadowsky turned to Fleming for the semifinal matchup. Reidler had typically started the game following Fleming all season but entered the contest after allowing four or more goals in five consecutive starts.
The opening period featured a fairly even pace as both teams traded scoring chances early. Michigan ultimately struck first when forward Josh Eernisse set up Garrett Schifsky in the slot. Schifsky buried the opportunity for his 11th goal of the season, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead midway through the period.
Penn State responded minutes later thanks to Big Ten scoring champion Gavin McKenna. McKenna finished a scoring chance from Luke Misa and Mac Gadowsky, tying the game at 1-1 with his 15th goal of the season.
The goal also marked a milestone moment for McKenna, whose point total rose to 51 on the season. He now sits just two points shy of the Penn State single-season record set by Aiden Fink last year.
Penn State maintained discipline throughout the opening frame, finishing the period without a penalty. It marked just the second time in the last five meetings between the teams that the Nittany Lions completed a period against Michigan without being sent to the penalty box.
Michigan ran into penalty trouble in the second period, providing Penn State with six power-play opportunities. Despite controlling play and outshooting the Wolverines 16-11 during the period, the Nittany Lions were unable to capitalize on the man advantage.
While Michigan spent extended time killing penalties, the Wolverines turned one of those situations into a key momentum swing. During a Malcolm Spence penalty kill, McKenna lost the puck in the neutral zone, allowing Nick Moldenhauer to break free on a rush. Moldenhauer quickly moved the puck to Schifsky, who scored his second goal of the game to give Michigan a 2-1 lead with a shorthanded tally, the Wolverines’ 10th of the season.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Michigan added to its lead midway through the period when Moldenhauer again created offense in transition. This time he found Cole McKinney streaking toward the net, and McKinney finished the play for his eighth goal of the season, extending the Wolverines’ advantage to 3-1.
Penn State attempted to rally early in the third period. After failing to convert on its eighth power-play opportunity of the night, the Nittany Lions generated momentum when defenseman Jackson Smith and forward Charlie Cerrato combined to set up Lev Katzin near the crease. Katzin capitalized on a ricochet in front of the net, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
However, Penn State’s discipline began to falter as the final minutes ticked away. Reese Laubach was whistled for goaltender interference, and shortly afterward Nic Chin-DeGraves was penalized for roughing, giving Michigan nearly 90 seconds of a 5-on-3 power-play advantage.
The Wolverines wasted little time converting. T.J. Hughes and Jayden Perron worked the puck across the offensive zone before Perron found Michael Hage for the power-play goal that restored Michigan’s two-goal lead. Michigan would add an empty netter with 30 seconds left when Hughes got his 19th of the season.
Penn State ultimately finished the night 0-for-8 on the power play.
Michigan will now await the winner of the semifinal matchup between Ohio State Buckeyes and top-seeded Michigan State Spartans to determine its opponent in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Penn State awaits its seeding for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
