Penn State men’s hockey moved up one spot to No. 4 in the USCHO poll released Monday, its highest ranking in more than eight years.

The Nittany Lions started the season in the No. 5 spot, their highest preseason ranking in program history, and beat then-No. 14 Arizona State twice to start the season.

In game one against the Sun Devils, who dropped one spot to No. 15, Penn State scored four goals in the third period, three of which came from Matt DiMarsico, to come back and win 6-3. The next night, the blue and white won 4-2 behind a late goal from Gavin McKenna, the first of his career.

In the most recent rankings, the Big Ten is also represented by No. 2 Michigan State, No. 9 Michigan, No. 12 Minnesota, No. 16 Ohio State, and No. 19 Wisconsin.

Penn State will take the ice at home for the first time this season against Clarkson with a two-game series on Thursday, October 9, and Friday, October 10. Game one is set for 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.