Penn State men’s hockey set for clash of contrasting styles with Wisconsin

If there’s one certainty about Big Ten Conference hockey it’s that standings, team records and statistics mean little once the puck drops.

So, even though Penn State looks better than Wisconsin at this point of this season, the Nittany Lions must prove their superiority the next couple of days — and it might not be easy.

The teams sit at the bottom of the conference standings with Penn State sixth and Wisconsin seventh. Penn State has six more victories than Wisconsin.

Still, three of the Badgers’ four Ws have come in conference play and Wisconsin split its series with No. 3 Michigan in late October. Two weeks later, Michigan swept its series at Penn State by a combined 11-3 score.

The contrasting styles invariably make the teams’ matchups interesting. Penn State wants to play with a bit more pace while Wisconsin usually seems a bit more patient. Penn State averages 3.47 goals per game, compared to Wisconsin’s 1.56.

The teams last met during the semifinals of the conference tournament with Wisconsin earning a 4-3 overtime victory on March 15, 2021. None of the players who scored a goal for either team in that game returns this season, though, and that’s part of the problem for Wisconsin.

Their top player from last season, Cole Caufield, now skates for the Montreal Canadiens.

Penn State (10-7-0, 6-4-0) at Wisconsin (4-11-1, 3-4-1)

Series: 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday

Radio/TV: 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Penn State leads the series, 21-17-3, but Wisconsin has won five of the last seven meetings. … The Nittany Lions are 7-9-2 at Wisconsin. … Senior forward Brock Caufield leads Wisconsin seven points (three goals, four assists). … Wisconsin is conducting its Teddy Bear Toss after Saturday’s game.