No. 5 Penn State men’s hockey (11-5-0, 4-4-0 Big Ten) defeated Minnesota (6-9-1, 3-3-0 Big Ten) 2-1 to close out the series ahead of the break.

Kevin Reidler got the start in the net Saturday night. The two goals came from Charlie Cerrato and Jackson Smith. The Nittany Lions will take an over month-long break after the split.

How It Happened

Minnesota started in the same dominant fashion as the night before. Within 30 seconds, the Golden Gophers had one shot toward Reidler.

Reese Laubach had a shot toward Finn McLaughlin within the first four minutes of the first period, who was the lone scorer for the Nittany Lions in game one. Penn State, however, was unable to hang onto the puck.

Midway through the first period, Penn State had found a little rhythm with shots coming from Luke Misa and Ben Schoen. However, it was quickly killed when Carter Schade was sent to the penalty box for cross-checking.

The Golden Gophers capitalized on the opportunity quickly with a goal from Tanner Ludtke.

Jared Crespo attempted to score a one-timer, but McLaughlin deflected it. Although the ice was tilted toward Minnesota, Penn State was able to handle the puck and record a shot from Braedon Ford. With six minutes left in the first frame, the Nittany Lion defense was putting pressure on the Golden Gopher offense.

The first period ended with a little bit of a spark coming from the Nittany Lions despite being down one goal.

The spark was not carried into the second period as the Golden Gophers dominated the ice as the clock started. Three minutes into the second period, Penn State had finally gotten a shot toward McLaughlin with Jackson Smith shooting the puck from the middle.

Dane Dowiak tried wrapping around the net, but McLaughlin was prepared. Laubach tried with the rebound but was greeted by the goaltender’s gloves.

Minnesota tried intercepting the puck, but Penn State was able to keep it in the zone and continue to try to get on the board.

With less than 10 minutes left in the second period, Penn State had recorded multiple shots toward McLaughlin, coming from Charlie Cerrato and Mac Gadowsky. The Nittany Lions led shots on goal 16-8.

The Nittany Lions got an opportunity on the power play for the first time after Leo Gruba was called for roughing.

Right off the bat, Gavin McKenna fed Charlie Cerrato, who buried it past McLaughlin. The game was now tied with less than five minutes left in the second period.

A Chucky BOMB!! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/XXS368m9Pw

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 23, 2025

Minnesota did not want Penn State to get on a roll and was peppering Reidler with shots before the clock wound down to end the second period. Reidler stood on his head and did not let a single puck past him. Penn State could not generate offense after the goal.

With just six seconds left in the second, the Golden Gophers were called for too many men on the ice, sending the Nittany Lions onto the power play.

Penn State started the final frame desperate on the power play. Smith answered the call and shot the puck from the top corner. The puck blasted past the goaltender for the Nittany Lions to take the lead.

The powerplay is back!!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/4Pf8hOYOGz

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 23, 2025

Penn State kept the foot on the gas and stayed in the offensive zone. JJ Weibusch and LJ Mooney were both called for unsportsmanlike conduct, which started 4-on-4 hockey. They were even still chirping at each other through the sin bin. Both teams could produce anything.

Soon after, Gadowsky was called for slashing, which sent the Golden Gophers on the power play. The Nittany Lions’ special teams were on track for killing the power play until Laubach and Tate Pritchard started fighting after the stoppage of play. The Nittany Lions were able to kill the slashing penalty.

Reidler made an amazing round of saves as the Golden Gophers swarmed him.

OH. MY. KEVIN.#SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/7Qffm1ZKk5

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 23, 2025

With under three minutes to go, the Nittany Lions were dominating the ice. Once the clock hit 1:28, McLaughlin was pulled. Penn State could not make the empty net but was able to escape Minnesota.

Takeaways

• The offense could not get going until the second period. Penn State went more than a period without establishing any real offensive rhythm. The momentum remained in Minnesota’s favor most of the night.
• The Nittany Lions are still indecisive about who should be the starting goaltender. Even with Fleming getting the Friday start, the rotation still feels off. Neither goaltender has fully locked down the role in recent weeks.
• After a strong start to the season, the Nittany Lions enter the holiday break on somewhat of a skid. The group is still finding its footing halfway through the season, something head coach Guy Gadowsky has mentioned before. However, the split against the Golden Gophers plus the two power play goals, will help build confidence going into the break.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions go on break until the new year, where they will face RIT at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 3.