Penn State men’s hockey (11-11-3, 3-9-3 Big Ten) defeated Ohio State (9-12-4, 1-12-2 Big Ten) 4-3 on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena to end a four-game skid.

The Buckeyes jumped in front with a goal early in the first period. The Nittany Lions tied it 10 minutes later and eventually grabbed a 3-1 lead to end a physical second period. Ohio State scored twice in the third period, but another Penn State goal proved it to be too late as the team snapped a multi-game losing streak.

How It Happened

Penn State found itself on the ropes to begin the game. Ohio State won the opening faceoff and had a strong opening shift, taking shot after shot while the Nittany Lions struggled to clear the puck.

When the Nittany Lions eventually cleared, they ushered in a physical playing style that excited the fans inside Pegula Ice Arena after each hit. Ryan Kirwan had a one-on-one against goaltender Kristoffer Eberly, but his shot went left of the goal.

The Buckeyes regained control. They created more chances, and Dalton Messina buried a rebound off Liam Souliere’s pad in front of the net to take a 1-0 lead at 5:45 in the first period.

Penn State responded with two near-misses. A shot from Jacques Bouquot hit the post, and Alex Servagno couldn’t capitalize on a rebound similar to Messina’s goal shortly after.

Then, at 14:40 in the period, Xander Lamppa scored to make it 1-1. He buried the puck while Eberly scrambled back into place after he left the net wide-open, sending an already energized crowd into a frenzy.

Doesn’t get more open than that

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— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 27, 2024

Despite a first period when it seemed outplayed more often than not, Penn State picked up the pace in the second period. It took several shots on goal, many of which were close calls.

Patrick Guzzo was assessed a tripping minor for the game’s first penalty. Penn State dominated from the one-man advantage from the start, and it paid off when Aiden Fink scored off a rebound in front of the net to take a 2-1 lead at 8:11 in the second period.

The power play unit is back, folks.

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— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 27, 2024

Stephen Halliday nearly finished a one-timer in front of Souliere, with the puck appearing to cross the line. Despite an animated reaction from Buckeye coach Steve Rohlik, the officials determined it was interference after Halliday crashed the net, causing Souliere to fall.

Then, Caden Brown was sent to the sin bin on a tripping minor. However, Jake Dunlap and Tanner Palocsik were assessed matching roughing minors from a skirmish after the play. Penn State had a four-on-three power play, its second advantage of the night.

Once again, the Nittany Lions scored. Fink finished Jarod Crespo’s pass for a one-timer in front of the net for his second goal of the game to give Penn State a 3-1 lead at 19:53 in the second period.

Tyler Paquette took a minor hooking penalty to open the third period, from which Ohio State generated nothing on the power play. Penn State seized possession from the beginning and took multiple shots on goal, which easily killed the penalty.

However, the Buckeyes avenged their power play woes quickly. Michael Gildon received a pass, maneuvered around Souliere, and scored to make it 3-2 at 4:11 in the third period.

Penn State responded to the goal well. It imposed its high-tempo style of offensive play by taking shot after shot against Eberly.

Then, at 10:15 in the period, Danny Dzhaniyev scored to make it 4-2 by burying another pass from Crespo in front of the net. However, Ohio State responded in turn, with Thomas Weis making it 4-3 less than a minute later.

It looked as if Dylan Lugris scored shortly after from the blue line. The goal horn sounded and the crowd erupted, but the Buckeyes successfully challenged the goal for being offsides.

With 2:27 left in regulation, Dane Dowiak was assessed a tripping minor. Eberly went to the bench to give the Buckeyes another attacker as the situation intensified. The Buckeyes took shot after shot, but Penn State killed the penalty with 20 seconds to spare. It was too little too late, as Penn State won 4-3.

Takeaways

• Have a day, Fink! He had two goals, adding to his team-most 28 points. The freshman continues to be one of the more impressive players the program has seen recently.
• Penn State’s power play was sensational, going two-for-three. This was a much-needed improvement, as the unit hadn’t done well prior to tonight’s game.
• The losing streak is finally over. The Nittany Lions hadn’t won a Big Ten game since the Minnesota series, and this is the start of two series against the last-place Buckeyes, which is an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways even more.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes finish the series at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, which is the annual “Wear White” game.