After a four-game winless drought to end the regular season, Penn State will host Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament tonight. The Nittany Lions suddenly need a win to remain secure for the NCAA Tournament. With the tournament format shifting to single elimination in all three rounds, the winner of tonight’s game will advance to the semifinal round on Saturday.
How to Watch
Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers NPI Ranking (PSU): 38 (11) When: Wednesday, March 11 Where: Pegula Ice Arena, State College,
PA Time: 7pm TV: Big Ten Plus Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Projected Lineup
Matt DiMarsico-Charlie Cerrato-JJ Wiebusch
Gavin McKenna-Reese Laubach-Aiden Fink
Shea Van Olm-Luke Misa-Ben Schoen
Lev Katzin-Nic Chin-DeGraves-Braedon Ford
Jackson Smith-Jarod Crespo
Cade Christenson-Nolan Collins
Carter Schade-Mac Gadowsky
Josh Fleming
Kevin Reidler
Opponent Preview
It has been a season to forget for Minnesota, as the Gophers finished with a dismal 11-21-3 record in the regular season. Minnesota has won just three games in regulation since December 4. Penn State won three of the four regular season meetings between the two teams, including both games at Pegula Ice Arena.
The Gophers are last in the Big Ten in shots on goal per game (26) and goals per game (2.7). It could be just what the doctor ordered for a putrid Penn State defense that allowed at least three goals in each of its last 10 games. Minnesota is largely a two-man show offensively, with Brodie Ziemer (23 goals, 13 assists) and Brody Lamb (14 goals, 16 assists) combining for almost 40% of the team’s goal scoring. In all of Minnesota’s wins since New Year’s Day, they have scored more than three goals, and in all of their losses, they were held to three goals or fewer. The Nittany Lions will need to keep this team off the scoreboard as much as possible.
Goaltending has been solid but not spectacular for Minnesota, with Luca Di Pasquo turning in a .912 save percentage and 3.10 GAA over 25 starts. In the single-elimination format, he will likely get the nod tonight for the Gophers. Minnesota gives up 34 shots on goal per game. Penn State needs to pressure early and get ahead of the game. Too often this season, the Nittany Lions have given up the first goal and have had to chase the game.
Minnesota is 9th in the NCAA on the power play (27%) and dead last on the penalty kill (69.1%). A talented but inconsistent Penn State power play needs to bring their best.
News & Notes
- Penn State gained a commitment from 2026 forward Will Yared over the weekend.
- Minnesota leads the all-time series 33-22-1.
- This will be the third meeting between the two teams in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, with Penn State sweeping in 2018 and Minnesota sweeping in 2024.
- The home team is unbeaten in all postseason meetings between these teams at campus sites.
- Penn State enters the game No. 11 in the NPI and with a 99.8% chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
Prediction
As rough as the last couple of weeks have been for Penn State, this is their chance to get things right with Charlie Cerrato back in the lineup. Minnesota has struggled in all phases of the game for most of the season, and if the Penn State offense cannot find their legs tonight, the season is likely dead on arrival. An NCAA Tournament berth hangs in the balance, and Penn State will seal it up on home ice.
Penn State 4, Minnesota 2
