Penn State 4, Ohio State 3: No Fink, No Problem

SB Nation

No. 4 Penn State converted three times on the power play on Friday night in a 4-3 win over No. 17 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions completed the road sweep without Aiden Fink, who missed tonight’s game with an injury.

First Period

Penn State had an early power play chance and cashed in on Ohio State’s mistake. Jackson Smith rang a one-timer that hit the back of the net underneath the crossbar but was ruled no goal on the ice. After a review, Smith was awarded a goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead:

Shortly after, the power play went right back to work. Charlie Cerrato fired a pass from the point to JJ Wiebusch in the low slot. Wiebusch slid a pass across the crease to Matt DiMarsico, and DiMarsico easily fired home the puck to double Penn State’s lead:

Ohio State cut the lead to 2-1 when Adam Eisele converted on a 3-on-1 rush following a Jackson Smith turnover in the neutral zone. The Buckeyes finally found some life after giving up the first two goals and first seven shots of the game. Felix Caron scored on a one-timer on the power play after Lev Katzin was called for slashing, and suddenly the game was tied at 2. Mac Gadowsky took a hooking penalty on an Ohio State breakaway thirty seconds later to set up another Buckeyes power play. Fortunately, the penalty kill was successful, and the Nittany Lions got to the end of the period without any further damage.

Second Period

An interference penalty on Ben Schoen handed Ohio State its third power play of the game, but the penalty kill did a solid job keeping the Buckeyes away from dangerous scoring chances. Felix Caron took a tripping penalty eight minutes into the period to put the Nittany Lions on the power play. After striking twice on the man-advantage in the first period against the normally-stout Ohio State penalty kill, the Buckeyes were able to reassert themselves shorthanded to kill off the penalty.

Penn State earned a fourth power play chance, and after three consecutive zone clears by Ohio State, JJ Wiebusch tallied his 11th goal of the season when he tapped home a pass into the slot from Matt DiMarsico. Wiebusch scored for the fifth straight game:

In the final minute of the frame, Mac Gadowsky forced a neutral zone turnover that sent Penn State on a counterattack. Dane Dowiak gathered the puck from Gadowsky, and after his first shot hit the defenseman guarding him, he ripped home a wrist shot past Samuel Hillebrandt to give Penn State a 4-2 lead:

After a back-and-forth first period, Penn State outshot Ohio State 16-7 in the period and largely controlled the neutral zone. The visiting Nittany Lions took a 4-2 lead into the final period.

Third Period

Penn State’s forecheck created some quality chances early in the third period, but a hooking penalty on Carter Schade midway through the frame opened the door for Ohio State to get back in the game. The Nittany Lions did not allow the Buckeyes to do much of anything on the ensuing power play, and a cross check in Riley Thompson sent the game to 4-on-4 action for 43 seconds. Gavin McKenna had one good chance at the end of Penn State’s abbreviated power play but was stopped by Hillebrandt.

As the third period went on, Penn State continued to do a solid job of disrupting Ohio State’s rhythm on offense by getting sticks in the passing and shooting lanes.

Scoring Summary

First Period

PSU: Jackson Smith (2)- Reese Laubach (5), Gavin McKenna (9)- PP- 4:32
PSU: Matt DiMarsico (8)- JJ Wiebusch (7), Charlie Cerrato (14)- PP- 6:20
OSU: Adam Eisele (2)- Felix Caron (4), Jake Karabela (5)- 5v5- 10:29
OSU: Felix Caron (4)- Davis Burnside (4), Jake Karabela (6)- PP- 16:36

Second Period

PSU: JJ Wiebusch (11)- Matt DiMarsico (7), Gavin McKenna (10)- PP- 16:29
PSU: Dane Dowiak (3)- Mac Gadowsky (5)- 5v5- 19:03

Third Period

OSU: William Smith (2)- Unassisted- EA – 19:47

Shots By Period

PSU: 9-16-9-34
OSU: 13-7-12-32

Takeaways

Power Play- The power play converted on three of its four full power plays in the game- against a penalty kill that was 90% entering tonight’s game. An excellent performance on the man advantage without Aiden Fink.
How Sweep It Is- Penn State swept both games in regulation at Ohio State for the first time in program history.
Penalties- Lack of discipline continues to be an issue for Penn State, with seven total penalties in tonight’s game. Fortunately for us, Ohio State also committed seven penalties.
Disruptive Defense- The defense has been a concern all season, but they did a solid job tonight of disrupting Ohio State’s cycle in the offensive zone and clogged the middle of the ice well in the third period.
JJ Wiebusch- JJ Wiebusch already has 11 goals this season through 10 games. As of tonight, he is the only player in the NCAA with at least 10 goals this season.