Penn State hockey is 2-7-1 through the first 10 games of the season, and the path does not get any easier with a road series at No. 2 Michigan this weekend. The Wolverines are one of the deepest and most talented teams in the country, and the Nittany Lions have historically struggled to win at Yost Ice Arena. Penn State has a lot of growing up to do to stay competitive against the top teams in the Big Ten, but it has to happen sometime, right?
How To Watch
Who: Michigan Wolverines When: Friday, November 13 and
Saturday, November 14 Where: Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, MI Time: 7pm (both games) TV: Big Ten Plus (both games) Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Projected Lineup
Andrew Kuzma-Kale Dach-Shea Busch
Justin Larose-Kaden Pitre-Justin Poirier
Braedon Ford-Luke Misa-Lev Katzin
Dane Dowiak-Reese Laubach-Shea Van Olm
Mac Gadowsky-Caeden Herrington
Jackson Smith-Ethan Weber
Nick Fascia-Nolan Collins
Josh Fleming
Ryder Fetterolf
Opponent Preview
Michigan is off to a roaring 8-1 start, with its only loss coming 5-2 to Ohio State last weekend. The Wolverines have swept defending national champion Denver on the road and beat Western Michigan 3-2 with a goal in the final second of regulation (where have we seen that before…).
This roster is loaded with skill and speed, featuring 16 NHL Draft picks and five total first round selections. Senior Jayden Perron has had the hot hand all season with 10 goals and nine assists through the team’s first nine games. His 19 points is only good for second on the team, as Michael Hage has an NCAA-leading 20 points (four goals, 16 assists). Sophomores Malcolm Spence and Cole McKinney each have six goals, and eleven different skaters have at least two goals. This is a deep lineup that has no shortage of scoring options. Michigan’s 5.1 goals per game leads the NCAA, and their 33.3 shots on goal per game is good for 15th.
Michigan is not the tightest defensive team, surrendering nearly 30 shots on goal per game. Penn State should be able to create good scoring chances, but the question will be cracking sophomore goaltender Jack Ivankovic. He has had an outstanding start to the season, posting a .921 save percentage, 2.33 GAA, and 4.33 goals saved above expected in his nine starts.
Michigan’s power play is normally one of the most dangerous in the sport every season, but the Wolverines are off to a bit of a slow start. The man advantage is converting just 21.2% of its chances so far, which ranks 27th in the NCAA. The penalty kill has been a weak spot at 76.5% (45th in the NCAA). Penn State still does not want to give the Michigan power play any room to improve this weekend, but giving up power play goals to this team does not feel as inevitable as it normally might.
News & Notes
- Michigan leads the all-time series 34-21-2. Penn State is 7-18-1 all-time at Yost Ice Arena.
- Michigan is the youngest team in the NCAA with an average age of 20.5.
- Justin Poirier’s 13 points is tied for 12th in the NCAA, and his 44 shots on goal is 4th in the NCAA among all skaters.
Prediction
Michigan has nearly every advantage in this matchup. The Wolverines are significantly more talented, more experienced, and more battle-tested. Out of 64 NCAA teams, Penn State’s strength of schedule is No. 47, and the Nittany Lions have one regulation win. Yost Ice Arena has been a house of horrors for Penn State over the last 15 years, and unless a miracle happens, trends are likely to continue this weekend. Upsets happen- even Notre Dame upset Michigan State last night in overtime- but I do not see Penn State pulling one out this weekend.
Michigan 6-2, 6-3
