Penn State hockey (7-1-1) completed yet another series sweep last weekend, and the hockey world took notice — your Nittany Lions are ranked a program-high No. 12 in the USCHO poll.

With 454 voter points, Penn State beat out teams like Ohio State (No. 14), Providence (No. 17), and Michigan (No. 18).

I feel like I give you a weekly disclaimer to take statistics with a grain of salt, but they’re still fun to think about. Currently, Penn State has the No. 2 pk percentage in the nation (93.2%). It boasts the No. 4 offense with an average of 4.22 goals per game, and the No. 7 defense with a two goals allowed per game average. Freshman Denis Smirnov is No. 5 in the country in scoring, with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) through nine games. Sophomore Andrew Sturtz is tied for No. 5 in goals with eight. Pretty much all of them have been beauties and have landed him on the NCAA top Plays of the Week three times.

Penn State sits at No. 2 in the PairWise rankings. PairWise mimics the NCAA Selection Committee’s process in figuring out teams and seedings for the tournament. The Nittany Lions are back in Pegula this weekend for a series with Alaska Anchorage.