No. 6 Penn State starts its critical stretch of Big Ten play with a pair of games against No. 7 Wisconsin this weekend. The Nittany Lions are looking to continue ascending in the Big Ten standings, and the Badgers
are looking to respond after an ugly home series against Michigan State last weekend.
How to Watch
Who: Wisconsin Badgers
NPI Ranking (PSU): 7 (6)
When: Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24
Where: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
Times: 8pm (Friday), 8:30pm (Saturday)
TV: Big Ten Plus (Friday), Big Ten Network (Saturday)
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Projected Lineup
Matt DiMarsico-Reese Laubach-JJ Wiebusch
Gavin McKenna-Dane Dowiak-Aiden Fink
Lev Katzin-Luke Misa-Ben Schoen
Alex Servagno-Nic Chin-DeGraves-Shea Van Olm
Jackson Smith-Jarod Crespo
Cade Christenson-Mac Gadowsky
Carter Schade-Nolan Collins
Josh Fleming
Kevin Reidler
Opponent Preview
Wisconsin has rebounded soundly from its dull 2024-25 season with a solid 15-5-2 record and a No. 7 ranking in the NPI. The Badgers swept Michigan State on the road back in November but have hit somewhat of a wall since then, going just 3-3 in their last six games after wins over Notre Dame and Lake Superior State. Still, Wisconsin is a top 10 team with elite NHL talent up and down their lineup.
Wisconsin is the No. 3 scoring team in the NCAA at four goals per game, trailing only Michigan and Quinnipiac. Islanders prospect Quinn Finley (10 goals) and senior Christian Fitzgerald (10 goals) lead the Badgers in goal scoring this season. Every forward that has played at least one game for Wisconsin this season has scored a goal, making this one of the deepest teams Penn State will face all season. Blake Montgomery (8 goals), Simon Tassey (7), and Ryan Botterill (7) are all strong goal-scoring threats as well. Wisconsin averages nearly 33 shots on goal per game, good for 12th in the NCAA.
The Badgers give up just 25.7 shots on goal per game, the fewest of any team Penn State has played so far this season. Freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser has been solid in net (.913 save percentage, 2.10 GAA) in his 19 starts. Wisconsin and Penn State both allow 2.5 goals per game. Scoring may be hard to come by for both teams in this series with quality goaltending and an improving Penn State defense.
Wisconsin’s power play ranks No. 5 in the NCAA (28%), and the penalty kill is tied for 37th with Michigan (79.7%). Penn State stifled a strong Notre Dame power play last weekend, and the Nittany Lions will need to replicate that against a more talented Wisconsin team.
News & Notes
- Charlie Cerrato is doubtful to play in this series, per Guy Gadowsky.
- Penn State leads the all-time series 29-25-3.
- Josh Fleming, Gavin McKenna, and Matt DiMarsico were all nominated for the Hobey Baker Award earlier this week.
- DiMarsico and McKenna took home two of the Big Ten’s Three Stars of the Week honors.
- Wisconsin will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its 2006 NCAA championship team on Saturday.
Standings and Such
Entering this weekend, Penn State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin are separated by just three points. Michigan State will face Minnesota at home, and Michigan is idle.
Remaining strength of schedule favors Michigan State and Wisconsin. Out of the top four teams in the standings, Michigan State has the most games left against the bottom three teams in the standings (eight). Wisconsin has six left, and Michigan and Penn State both have four. There is still a lot of hockey to be played, but Penn State will need to collect as many points as possible over the next two weeks to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten title.
Prediction
Traveling to face a tough Wisconsin team will certainly be a challenge for Penn State after five straight games at home. The Badgers have slowed down a bit in recent weeks but still have the offensive firepower to challenge Josh Fleming and an inconsistent defense. With Charlie Cerrato doubtful to play, Penn State will be without its top playmaker for the third straight week. It’s going to take Penn State’s best effort to win this series, and though I think they can rise to the task with Fleming in net, a road sweep feels unlikely.
Penn State 5-2, Wisconsin 4-2
