The Nittany Lions, after a 6-1 win on Friday night, came into Saturday looking for a sweep of Michigan State and a perfect 6 point weekend. The team couldn’t get it done in regulation in front of a traveling Roar Zone, but earned two points in a 2-2 tie and shootout victory over the Spartans.

How It Happened

Eamon McAdam established instant brilliance between the pipes early. Several crosses by Michigan State into the slot were either poked away or stopped in their tracks. McAdam’s front defense consistently protected him as well.

Less than four minutes in, Eric Scheid put the puck past the Spartans’ net-minder from a ridiculous angle. After a short review by the refs, the goal was deemed good and the Lions took an early 1-0 lead. Kevin Kerr and McAdam, his third of the season, were awarded the assists. The traveling Roar Zone erupted, effectively muting Munn’s home crowd.

At the 9:54 minute mark, David Goodwin got nailed for slashing and earned a seat in the box. Penn State still held a steady momentum halfway through the first frame. After an easy two-minute disadvantage, the Nittany Lions’ pristine special teams killed off the penalty, going 5-for-5 so far this weekend.

What Michigan State lacked on the scoreboard, it made up for in shots on goal. Toward the end of the period, the Spartans led 11-8, but couldn’t capitalize. The Lions were tenacious on their attack, and that energy carried them into the first intermission with a one-goal edge and a 21-19 lead on the shot tally.

A quick goal from the slot by Michigan State forward Matt Deblouw set the stage for what was about to be a long period for Penn State, tying the game at one apiece. David Glen made matters worse after notching a two-minute kneeing call, giving the Spartans their second power play opportunity of the night. But as always, the Nittany Lions, mainly thanks to McAdam’s glove side, killed off the penalty phenomenally and restored themselves to full-strength.

Glen found himself in the sin bin for the second time tonight for a tripping call, awarding Michigan State its third man-advantage of the night. Luckily, the Spartans’ captain, Michael Ferrantino, also got caught for his own penalty for elbowing. 4-on-4 hockey ensued for a short 20 seconds, but Penn State killed off Glen’s mistake.

However, another penalty, a foolish too many men on the ice call, put Penn State right back into the box. Zach Saar valiantly took one for the team and served the time.

Penn State just couldn’t seem to get out of its own way.

After a slate of great saves by McAdam, he finally cracked under the persistent pressure put on by Michigan State, as Ferrantino netted his team’s first power play goal out of four chances. The Spartans seized their first lead of the night, and of the series, and the Lions seemed like they were playing on their heels.

After the goal, DeBlouw smacked Alec Marsh down to the ice hard, and the two players received matching minors for roughing. The game returned to 4-on-4 action as the final minutes of the second period ticked down. To no surprise, another penalty by Michigan State ensued with a minute left to play in the frame, this time for a two-minute kneeing call, providing another man-advantage for Penn State. Even with another slight setback, Michigan State had the upper hand 2-1.

Penn State never had any trouble facing adversity in the form of a comeback bid, so what’s another one under its belt? Down only 2-1, a win isn’t a huge stretch for this team.

After Michigan State killed its kneeing penalty from the second frame, a hunger showed in Erik Autio through his perfection on the forecheck. What could have been a great chance in front of the net by the Spartans got steadily staved away by the Finnish native.

Penn State finally had momentum slightly favor them after a couple solid runs at Michigan State’s cage, but routinely came up empty. A nicely timed interference call on the Spartans put the Lions in a great position to score with the man-advantage.

And guess what? Luke Juha delivered.

A tight scramble in the slot allowed for Juha to push though a clutch power play goal on a rebound chance. The Hobey Baker Award nominee tied the game up at 2-2 and a much-needed confidence rose in Gadowsky’s unit.

Two tiny setbacks happened directly after: a Saar trip and a Varley roughing call. This put Michigan State on a scary 5-on-3 advantage. The Nittany Lions had difficulty in their own zone initially, but stayed unbelievably strong. Varley and Saar rushed out of the box and the puck was cleared automatically, awarding the special teams another textbook penalty kill.

Overtime appeared in an all-too familiar view as the final seconds of regulation came to a close.

Chippy and unwelcomed hits after the whistle landed David Glen and DeBlouw in the box for matching slashing minors, prompting another dramatic 4-on-4 stint. A rivalry atmosphere smothered Munn Ice Arena, but neither team could find the back of the net.

Though the game got classified as a tie, it was time for a shoot out.

First up was Michigan State captain, Michael Ferrantino: whiff.

Scheid stepped up as the first Lion to face the Spartan goaltender, but Hildebrand stopped him cleanly.

For Michigan State, Joe Cox tried a nifty deke, but McAdam stunned him in his skates.

That put Ricky DeRosa in the perfect position to win the game, and after a perfect fake, he slipped it right past Hildebrand.

Cody Milan couldn’t overcome McAdam, and Penn State captured the exciting post-regulation victory.

Player Of The Game

Defenseman Luke Juha proved himself again in the clutch, scoring this goal on the power play with less than six minutes left.

WATCH: Luke Juha's PPG forces overtime. https://t.co/X2z0d7N4Mz #WeAre #HockeyValley

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) February 14, 2016

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions return to Hockey Valley for a two-game home series against Ohio State  – their second conference matchup of the season facing the Buckeyes. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena.