Forward Kevin Wall leading Penn State men’s hockey into weekend series with Michigan State

Forward Kevin Wall leads the Penn State men’s hockey team in scoring, but that’s not what has impressed his coach the most through the season’s first 15 games.

“What he’s doing away from the puck is the best he’s played,” coach Guy Gadowsky said. “Often when you play very well in all parts of your game then points come.”

Wall leads the team with 10 goals and six assists entering this weekend’s series against Michigan State at Pegula Ice Arena. Gadowsky said Wall’s habits, honed as he has worked his way into the lineup during his career, provide an example for others and mirror an approach that many successful Penn State players have followed.

In addition, Gadowksy said Wall’s determination and effort have been important, helping him avoid making the same mistake more than once.

On a larger scale, Penn State has been working to learn a similar lesson about mental toughness.

Even when the team plays well, bad things can happen — an unexpected bounce, a poor shift, a talented opponent playing well — and how it responds to those things matters. When the team was swept by Ohio State and Michigan earlier, its mentality was a problem despite playing generally well in the games.

“We were getting down on ourselves a bit at times,” Wall said. “We just have to worry about the next shift or the next goal.”

Going 3-1 in its last four games might’ve helped the Nittany Lions address that issue, and the beauty, and challenge, of the Big Ten Conference is that they’ll probably get a chance to prove they’ve improved in the area at some point during this weekend’s two-game series.

“That’s why playing in this league is so important,” Gadowsky said. “You get many opportunities to develop that.”

Penn State (9-6-0, 1-5-0 Big Ten) vs. Michigan State (8-5-1, 3-3-0)

Series: 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday

Radio/TV: 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Penn State’s popular Teddy Bear Toss returns for Saturday’s game. Every toy tossed on the ice during the designated intermission will be donated to childhood cancer patients and other children in need. … The Toss did not happen last year. In 2019, more than 1,00 bears were tossed onto the ice and donated. … Michigan State swept Wisconsin in its most recent series, which was played Nov. 19-20. … The Spartans have converted just five of 71 power-play attempts this season.