Michigan blanks Penn State hockey

The frustrations at Yost Ice Arena continued Friday night for the Penn State men’s hockey team.

Michigan scored three third-period goals and the No. 12 Nittany Lions could not solve the goaltending of Hayden Lavigne in a 4-0 loss in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Penn State (13-9-3, 6-6-3-2 Big Ten) has lost six straight in the Wolverines’ arena, with Michigan winning the games by a combined 32-5. The blank scoring sheet was the Nittany Lions’ first shutout since falling 1-0 at Notre Dame on Nov. 11. Penn State entered the weekend leading the nation in scoring, averaging better than four goals per game.

Jack Becker scored twice, and one goal each came from Josh Norris and Brendan Warren for the Wolverines (11-10-2, 6-7-2-1).

Peyton Jones made 31 saves in the loss.

Player of the Game

Lavigne has been hot in the Michigan net in recent weeks, and posted his second shutout with his 34 saves. He had two key denials to keep the Wolverines ahead when it was still a one-goal game. Five minutes into the second period, James Robinson was alone on a breakaway but couldn’t beat Lavigne with his first try or rebound. Lavigne also denied a shorthanded 2-on-1 break of two Lion defensemen, with Erik Autio setting up Cole Hults, in the third.

Highlights

Becker opened the scoring, deflecting the puck past Jones moments after a power play expired in the first period.

Becker added his second tally midway through the third, again with a redirection just after a faceoff. Norris padded the lead with a wrist shot four minutes later, and Warren hit an empty net to close the night.

Back on the ice

Penn State saw Kevin Kerr return to the lineup Friday. The junior defenseman had not played since late November and had seen action in only four games all season because of injuries.

Up next

The teams complete the two-game series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 11:05 PM with the headline "Michigan blanks Penn State hockey."