Penn State men’s hockey remained at No. 6 in the USCHO men’s hockey rankings during its bye week after losing twice to No. 1 Michigan State, the USCHO announced on Monday.

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— USCHO.com (@USCHO) February 9, 2026

In one of the most anticipated college hockey weekends of the year, the Nittany Lions took on the Spartans in front of almost 75,000 people at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State wasn’t fazed, though, and followed a 6-3 win at Pegula with an overtime win outdoors.

No. 5 Quinnipiac was the only team to jump Penn State, however, leading the Nittany Lions by 55 votes. Michigan State, Michigan, North Dakota, and Western Michigan rounded out the top five.

In the NPI, the new formula that determines seeding for the NCAA Tournament, Penn State moved back one spot to No. 5. The top four teams in those rankings will get a 1 seed for the NCAA tournament.

The Nittany Lions also fell in the Big Ten standings, going from tied for first to No. 3. If the season ended today, Penn State would take on Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Penn State’s next two games take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at Yost Ice Arena, where it will take on No. 2 Michigan on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14. The Nittany Lions and the Wolverines split the series earlier in the year.

Folks at home can watch the first game on Big Ten Plus and the following one on the Big Ten Network.